Kylian Mbappé has credited a missed penalty against Athletic Club in early December as the turning point that shifted his mindset and revitalized his form. After scoring in Real Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Sevilla, the French forward reflected on the difficult period, acknowledging that the setback pushed him to improve.

The missed penalty came during a 2-1 loss to Athletic Club on December 4, where Mbappé failed to convert while Madrid was trailing 1-0 in Bilbao.

The miss intensified criticism of his inconsistent performances since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the pressure, Mbappé has since turned things around, scoring six goals in December as Real Madrid closed the year just two points behind league leaders Atlético Madrid.

Mbappé’s resurgence was on display during the win against Sevilla, where he scored and provided an assist. His contributions also extended beyond La Liga, as he scored the opening goal in Real Madrid’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup final win over Pachuca in Qatar, securing his second trophy with the club.

Reflecting on his recent performances, Mbappé admitted the penalty miss in Bilbao was a wake-up call. “I can do a lot more,” he said. “I know there’s so much more in my legs.

Over the last few games, I’ve played better. The game in Bilbao was a turning point for me. I hit rock bottom when I missed that penalty. It was a moment to realize I must give everything for this shirt and play with more personality.”

“We’ve improved in recent months,” Mbappe said. “It was a difficult game, we were a bit tired after the trip to Qatar. But we did well, from the start, scoring good goals, playing on the front foot. I think Madrid fans will be happy today.