Cristiano Ronaldo's recent insights on Kylian Mbappé's performance have sparked conversations among fans and analysts alike. The Portuguese football legend critiqued the young French star for his struggles playing as a central striker for Real Madrid, advocating for both positional changes and greater fan support.
Ronaldo, who made waves during his illustrious career at Real Madrid, addressed the challenges Mbappé faced at the club, especially concerning his adaptation to the number 9 position. "Gdybym był w Realu Madryt, to nauczyłbym Mbappe, jak grać na tej pozycji numer 9. To dla niego trudne, bo nie umie grać na napastniku, moim zdaniem to nie jego miejsce," Ronaldo said, pointing out the difficulties Mbappé encounters on the pitch.
Despite Mbappé's extraordinary talent, which has been showcased throughout his brief career, Ronaldo emphasized the importance of changing how the Frenchman plays at the center forward position. "Pozycja napastnika nieco komplikuje sytuację Mbappe, ponieważ moim zdaniem nie wie, jak grać jako napastnik," he elaborated, recalling his own experiences in adapting to various playing styles during his career.
Mbappé's transition to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer was met with skepticism from some fans and even fellow players. Initially, many were unsure about the Frenchman’s fit within the team. Santos acknowledged his swift adaptation, which resulted in his performance noticeably improving as he became more integrated with his team. "Zwracam się do kibiców Realu Madryt. Opiekujcie się tym młodym człowiekiem. Kylian Mbappe jest bardzo dobrym piłkarzem, Real Madryt musi mu pomagać i go chronić. Nie mam wątpliwości, że Mbappe przyniesie mnóstwo radości kibicom," Ronaldo expressed, urging the club's supporters to embrace the French player.
This season, Mbappé has played well overall. He has appeared in 34 matches across all competitions, scoring 22 goals and assisting on three occasions, demonstrating his considerable scoring ability. Currently, he ranks second on the La Liga scoring charts, trailing Robert Lewandowski, who leads with 18 goals. Despite the pressure of playing at one of the world's most prestigious football clubs, it appears Mbappé has started to find his rhythm within the team.
Ronaldo's advice is rooted not only in his observations of Mbappé's playing style but also his own experiences on the field. He reminisced about his time as both a striker and winger, emphasizing the necessity of versatility. "Ludzie zapominają, dlaczego Cristiano strzela, byłem napastnikiem, ale nie prawdziwym napastnikiem. Mbappe musi zrobić to samo," he noted, indicating the need for Mbappé to adapt and develop his game beyond traditional striker roles.
Supporters of Real Madrid, hearing Ronaldo's call to action, are left contemplating both their expectations of their new star and the potential for him to shine even brighter with their backing. Ronaldo's faith and mentorship may well serve as guiding lights for Mbappé as he navigates this pivotal phase of his career.
With Ronaldo's advice ringing clear and encouragement expressed for the fans, all eyes remain on Kylian Mbappé as he continues to strive for greatness within the storied club of Real Madrid. His potential to deliver joy and prestige to the team's supporters remains as palpable as ever, though the path to true success seems demanding and layered with challenges yet to be unraveled.