Scoring many goals, why is Mbappe still empty-handed?

Mbappé needs a strong team to win.

According to statistics, Mbappe ended the 2024/25 season with 44 goals in 56 matches in all competitions, including 31 goals in La Liga, helping him win the La Liga Top Scorer title (Pichichi) and the European Golden Shoe.

Explosive scoring season

The French striker broke the legendary Ivan Zamorano's record of goals scored in his debut season at Real Madrid (37 goals, 1992/93 season) and became the fourth player in the club's history to score at least 30 goals in his first season in La Liga, joining the likes of Alfredo Di Stéfano, Hugo Sánchez and Ruud van Nistelrooy. In particular, Mbappe also scored an impressive hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League knockout round, contributing to making him the second youngest player (after Lionel Messi) to reach the 50-goal mark in this arena.

With 50 goals (goals + assists), it is difficult to say that Mbappe was a failure for Real Madrid last season. However, football is ultimately about titles, and the records Mbappe created mean nothing if Real Madrid are empty-handed in the most important competitions.

In contrast to Mbappe's excellent individual form, Real Madrid have had a season to forget. As the reigning La Liga and Champions League champions, Real entered the 2024/25 season with the ambition to defend their title.

However, a series of problems caused "Los Blancos" to decline. As a result, Real Madrid only won two minor titles: the European Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. This is the first season since 2010 that Real Madrid did not win a major title (La Liga, Champions League or Copa del Rey).

This forced Carlo Ancelotti to leave the club in May, despite leaving as the club's most successful manager with 15 trophies. Even when Xabi Alonso took over, Real were eliminated in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals after a disastrous defeat to PSG.

Why?

The contrast between Mbappe’s individual form and Real Madrid’s collective failure creates a remarkable paradox. While Mbappe continues to break records and become the team’s bright spot, he cannot help Real Madrid overcome decisive moments.

Real need to adjust to get the best out of Mbappe.

AS believes that Mbappe is under a lot of pressure to carry the attack, especially when teammates like Rodrygo and even Vinicius are not maintaining stable form. However, EL Pais commented that Mbappe is also part of the cause of Real's problems.

Real Madrid are too reliant on Mbappe, creating an imbalance in the squad. Furthermore, integrating a superstar like Mbappe into a squad that already has attacking stars like Vinícius and Jude Bellingham requires time and tactical adjustments, something Ancelotti was unable to fully implement in his final season.

Even new coach Xabi Alonso is struggling, as neither Vinicius nor Mbappe are willing to press and support the defense. In the match against PSG, Vinicius and Mbappe - the two most expected strikers - hardly participated in the defense, leaving a big gap on both wings.

When a team has players who are not willing to defend, disaster is inevitable. Alonso’s defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup is something Ancelotti has experienced in many previous matches.

Modern football has seen the rise of pressing and frontline defence, where forwards also have to put pressure on opponents. Mbappe has helped Real's attack buck that trend.

Therefore, despite scoring many goals, Mbappe is also at fault for the Spanish Royal Club's empty-handedness. Mbappe's story in the 2024/25 season is a testament to the harshness of top-level football: individual talent, no matter how excellent, cannot guarantee success without collective synchronization.

Mbappe has done everything he can in terms of scoring goals, breaking records, winning individual trophies - but football is a team sport , and Real Madrid need something in the 2025/26 season.

Obviously, despite being empty-handed in terms of major titles, the 2024/25 season is still an important stepping stone for Mbappé to assert his position at Real Madrid. At the age of 26, he still has many opportunities to conquer major titles with "Los Blancos", especially when the team prepares for a new phase under the leadership of a new coach.