Kylian Mbappe Reflects on ‘Rock Bottom’ Moment and Recent Revival
Kylian Mbappe has revealed that missing a penalty during Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao earlier this month was a pivotal moment in his early days with the Spanish club. The French forward, who joined Real Madrid in the summer transfer window as Paris St. Germain’s all-time top scorer, admitted that adapting to his new environment has been challenging. These challenges were compounded by a hamstring injury and a thigh issue, which disrupted his start with the team.
Reflecting on the missed penalty—his second within a week—Mbappe described the experience as hitting “rock bottom.” Speaking to Real Madrid TV, he said, “I took a lot of positives from the Bilbao game. I missed a penalty and realized at that moment I have to give my all for this shirt and play with personality.”
Since that low point, Mbappe has responded impressively, scoring four goals across all competitions, including the opener in Real Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Sevilla in LaLiga. His recent performances have helped the team finish the year just one point behind league leaders Atletico Madrid. With 10 goals in 16 league appearances, Mbappe is beginning to find his stride.
“I can score a lot more, I know I have a lot more to give,” Mbappe said. “The last few games, I’ve played better. I think we now know each other better. I’ve joined the team, and that changed a lot of things. The settling-in period is over, as the coach says. I feel very comfortable in the team and I play better with the others on the pitch.”
Real Madrid next face Valencia in LaLiga on January 3, and Mbappe will look to continue his resurgence as the team pushes for the top spot in the league.
