Mbappe Breaks Silence: No Rift with Vinicius, Just Media Hype
10 October 2025
Background
Mbappe breaks his silence on his relationship with Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Jr., insisting that the media are the ones driving the rumors about a supposed rift. The French forward says posts "sell a lot of newspapers" by spreading false information and stresses that he has no problem with Vinicius.
The previous season saw an early lack of harmony between the two, while Mbappe’s 2024 move to Madrid positioned them as one of Europe’s most feared attacking duos. However, the opening months of the campaign fueled questions about their chemistry as Vinicius reportedly struggled to recapture last year’s form.
Season Snapshot
In truth, Mbappe and Vinicius opened the 2025-26 season with explosive form, upsetting defenses across Europe. Mbappe tallied 14 goals in his first 10 appearances, while Vinicius contributed 5 goals and 4 assists in La Liga. Together they have 25 goals in 11 league games, a clear step up from last season when they managed only four in 26 league matches.
Real Madrid currently top La Liga with 21 points from eight games, two clear of their traditional rivals Barcelona. The two teams are set to meet on October 26 at the Santiago Bernabeu, after Alonso’s side navigate Getafe and Juventus before the Clasico.
Leadership and Form
The switch to the number 10 shirt signaled Mbappe’s leading role in the attack under Xabi Alonso’s system. Despite competition, the duo became the league’s most dangerous frontline, alternating between direct runs and central involvement.
Mbappe has spoken of adapting to life in the Spanish capital, saying it helped him reset mentally and physically, which in turn reflected in his performances. Through 11 appearances across club and country, he has 15 goals and 1 assist in La Liga, accounting for a substantial share of Madrid’s goals.
The Champions League also highlighted their chemistry, with a hat-trick against Kaïrat Almaty in a 5-0 win and a brace against Oviedo plus a decisive goal vs Villarreal in La Liga, reinforcing Madrid’s supremacy in the early part of the season.
Vinicius under pressure
Vinicius Jr. started the season strongly in La Liga with 5 goals and 4 assists in his first eight games, earning two Man of the Match awards. Under Alonso, he faced tactical demands for greater defensive involvement, which at times affected his rhythm and sparked questions about his role and mental balance within the squad.
Market dynamics and Mbappe’s ascendancy
Despite Vinicius’s market value dipping by around €30 million since June, Mbappe remains the standout star of Madrid’s frontline, fueling talk about his long-term future and attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Season numbers wrap up: 33 matches, 2,611 minutes, approximately 1 goal every 186 minutes (a dip from the early season pace), multiple Player of the Match awards, and Ballon d’Or considerations as Madrid push for domestic and European glory.
In sum, the two forwards have shown resilience and chemistry, quashing rumors of a rift and focusing on title contention for Real Madrid as the season unfolds. They appear to be finding their footing as the campaign progresses.
Punchlines: Sniper-style joke 1: If headlines paid the rent, these two would own the newsroom. Punchline 2: In football as in comedy, timing is everything—and Madrid’s timing, apparently, is to turn rumors into results.
