Mbappé Reawakens: Madrid’s Spark Returns as France’s Crown Hangs in the Balance

Mbappé's Resurgence Lights a New Chapter

The French star Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s standout, has regained his swagger and shine that faded at the start of the season, both with his Spanish club and with his country.

The 26-year-old Mbappé realized his dream of joining the royal club in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain after seven seasons at PSG.

He left PSG after explosive clashes with chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and the disputes have persisted, reaching French courts with mutual claims exceeding €250 million.

Setbacks Mbappé Faced

Mbappé’s dream came true, but his first season at the Santiago Bernabéu was a nightmare, with Madrid failing to win all titles and suffering heavy defeats to their archrivals Barcelona in the league, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, and exiting the Champions League in the quarterfinals against Arsenal.

Meanwhile PSG captured the Champions League for the first time in its history, even stunning Madrid with a 4-0 win in the Club World Cup in the United States.

Before moving to Madrid, Mbappé was coming off a tough Euro 2024 with France, suffering a heavy nose fracture early on, which later caused bigger issues for months, as he declined joining the national team in October and November to stay focused on Real Madrid and be fit for France’s tests.

The desire to push his case created a media and fans’ buzz, with some questioning his right to wear the captain’s armband granted by Didier Deschamps in early 2023.

Last year, Mbappé’s mark with the Blues was modest: 11 appearances, two goals and four assists.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of November’s training camp, Mbappé admitted he endured a tough 2024 and wanted a good finish to the year, which he delivered by helping France qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

France secured its 17th World Cup appearance, and the eighth in a row, under coach Didier Deschamps since 2012, with plans for future leadership after the next edition.

In 2025, Mbappé's fortune shifted dramatically after the Djo’s commitments, as he attended all of France’s camps in March, June, September, October and November, making a decisive impact on the national side.

He left a digital footprint perhaps the strongest since his international debut in 2017, featuring eight caps this year, contributing to six wins and only two losses.

In eight matches, he scored seven goals and five assists, and he has strung together goals in six consecutive games before being rested in the last qualifier against Azerbaijan due to a minor ankle issue, then returning to Real Madrid for treatment.

At that pace, Mbappé has continued his terrific form with France and his explosive start at Real Madrid, tallying 18 goals in 16 games this season (13 in La Liga, five in the Champions League after four matchdays).

By contrast, Mbappé missed only two France games this year, a reminder that he could still chase Olivier Giroud’s all-time France scoring record of 57; Mbappé sits on 55 in 94 appearances, with a potential 16 internationals next year if France reach the 2026 final.

Yet that dream remains very much alive, as Mbappé eyes a defining chapter with France at the 2026 World Cup and a chance to etch his name among the pantheon of France’s greatest scorers.

Punchline 1: If Mbappé keeps this pace, Giroud might need a bigger trophy cabinet—Mbappé is starting to write his own legend, one goal at a time.

Punchline 2: They say the throne is heavy; Mbappé’s been lifting it with one knee while the rest of the squad stretches the victory banner—snipe level, my friends.