​L'Équipe: Mbappé Feels Isolated at Real Madrid, Takes Responsibility and Earns Praise from Hierarchy

January 31 – French media *L'Équipe*'s Madrid correspondent Antoine Simonneau pens a column on Kylian Mbappé.

Kylian Mbappé rarely speaks out publicly at Real Madrid. But when the Frenchman does speak, his frankness often breaks through the usual clichés. On Wednesday night, following Real Madrid's shocking 2-4 Champions League defeat to Benfica, he was the **only player to publicly take responsibility**.

Clearly, he was extremely disappointed and delivered a strong message to his teammates. His reprimand felt like a bottled message from a player who is increasingly aware of the team's shortcomings and fears another season without major silverware.

Mbappé made public what many have observed. The sharp criticism from arguably Real Madrid's only player performing at the expected level (alongside Thibaut Courtois) primarily reveals his growing, hard-to-suppress fatigue and frustration.

He feels increasingly **isolated and trapped**, which could further dampen his championship ambitions. The situation appears no better despite Álvaro Arbeloa replacing Xabi Alonso in the dugout.

Mbappé's (27) remarks once again confirm his undisputed leadership at Real Madrid. However, they also raise questions. For a player to become the team's spokesperson so clearly after just a year and a half, amid such a lack of experienced leadership at the Bernabéu, is historically unprecedented. It also starkly highlights the current **leadership vacuum** within the club.

Mbappé's sense of responsibility has undoubtedly been praised by the club's management, who have consistently maintained that the players are primarily responsible for the current situation.

But will Mbappé's words truly have an impact? By voicing his dissatisfaction with the team's deficiencies, isn't he also attempting to send a message – a subtle yet crucial call for reinforcements?

After all, the opinion of a player who accounts for nearly **half of Real Madrid's goals** this season (36 out of 75 across all competitions) carries undeniable weight. However, despite his stature, his influence in recruitment remains minimal, an area still firmly controlled by President Florentino Pérez.

Source: L'Équipe