To be great, Mbappe must rise from the

According to former French player Michel Platini, Kylian Mbappe will transform if he overcomes the current difficulties at Real Madrid.

Mbappe achieved many successes before coming to Real, such as the 2018 World Cup championship, the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot, scoring 256 goals in 308 matches for PSG and 48 goals in 86 matches for the French national team. But since becoming a player at the Bernabeu, the 25-year-old striker has become a different person, scoring only nine goals in 18 matches, including two goals in the last nine matches.

Mbappe has also been criticised for not adapting well to the centre-forward role and not being as effective as Vinicius on the left wing. In Real’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on November 27, the Frenchman was lacklustre on the left wing, often losing possession and missing a penalty.

Michel Platini, a former midfielder who won three consecutive Ballon d’Ors and Euro 1984 with France, admitted that Mbappe was lost on the pitch. But he also said that difficulties were a worthy challenge for his compatriot to overcome and grow.

“A great champion must rise from the. Kylian needs to do that,” Platini told RMC Sport on November 29.

Mbappe has refused to play for France in the past two months. The 25-year-old striker spoke directly to coach Didier Deschamps about skipping some unimportant international matches, avoiding injuries, taking time off and focusing more on his club. Regarding Mbappe’s choice, Platini admitted that it could affect the national team. However, the former player believes that everything will soon pass and the 25-year-old star will return.

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“What is happening is just a small step back for him and French football,” Platini added.

Football has seen many famous players encounter difficulties before returning and reaching new heights. In the period 1998-2002, Ronaldo De Lima lost the 1998 World Cup final, suffered continuous injuries, then returned to win the 2002 World Cup. Lionel Messi also lost the 2014 World Cup final, two Copa America finals, then won the 2022 World Cup, two Copa Americas and the Intercontinental Super Cup.

However, not everyone is open to Mbappe’s decline. Former player Guti told Mundo Deportivo: “Everyone wants to know what’s going on with Mbappe. He looks unconfident, timid. The moment before taking the penalty in the Liverpool match, he looked very nervous.” According to the former Real and Spain midfielder, Mbappe himself is not satisfied with his performance and wants to contribute more, especially after what he has done at PSG and the expectations from the Bernabeu. “Mbappe is now at another team, where he will definitely have to compete with top players if he wants to become great. And the price for that is not cheap. The Real shirt is always difficult to wear. That’s something everyone knows.”