Kylian Mbappe has opened up about the “mentality problem” that led to his slow start to life at Real Madrid.
Big things were expected of Mbappe when he moved to the Bernabeu on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
But the France captain did not hit his best form early on in the Spanish capital, at one point scoring just three times in an 11-match run, a run that included three penalty misses.
More recently, the 26-year-old has found form, scoring four times in his last three games for Real.
“I believe it’s a mentality problem and that’s when I realized I had to work harder,” Mbappe said ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg.
“I was thinking too much about how to make things. Whether in space, whether at Vini’s [Vinicius Jr’s] playground area, to Rodrygo’s area. When you think too much, you don’t focus on your game.
“I was good physically and with the group, but I knew I had to do more, it was time to change the situation.
“I am a player who always wants more. And when you see that you’re not doing it, it hits you.
“I couldn’t do any worse, so when you hit rock bottom [after miss vs Liverpool] you can only go up.”
Speaking about the added pressure on his shoulders since joining Los Blancos, Mbappe added: “It’s normal. People expected a lot from me.
“I don’t take it personally, it’s football. You have to stay calm and focused. I knew the situation could change.”
Mbappe scored a stunning first goal against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month before losing 5-2 to their fierce rivals. The French striker has since scored against Celta Vigo before adding two against La Palmas this weekend.
“I was in good shape for a month or a month and a half,” Mbappe said. “I have full confidence for Wednesday [against Salzburg] in my game and in the team.”
