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Samuel - May 27, 2025
Kylian Mbappe’s debut season at Real Madrid was filled with twists, setbacks, and moments that defined his resilience.
The French superstar dominated headlines in the 2024 summer transfer window after making a highly anticipated free transfer move from Paris Saint-Germain to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It was a dream move for Mbappe, but with it came enormous pressure to deliver at one of the world’s most demanding clubs. His start, however, was far from perfect, marked by frustrating performances and growing doubts. But as the season progressed, Mbappe turned his fortunes around, finishing on a personal high by claiming both the La Liga Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Boot.
Let’s unpack Kylian Mbappe’s journey from early-season challenges to historic success.
Mbappe’s Real Madrid journey began with a bang as he scored a stunning goal in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup final against Atalanta, helping Los Blancos lift their first trophy of the season. That dazzling debut sparked huge expectations, but sustaining that momentum proved challenging.
The Frenchman’s difficulties arose partly from being shifted out of his favored left-wing role to accommodate Vinicius Junior, instead being deployed as a central striker, which restricted his ability to cut inside and utilize his dribbling skills to exploit spaces. The chemistry between him, Vinicius, and Rodrygo also failed to ignite, with communication issues blunting Real Madrid’s attack.
Injuries to Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham further hampered Real’s midfield balance, resulting in limited service to Mbappe.
Mbappe’s goal drought was a growing worry in the season’s first half, with him scoring just three goals in 11 appearances at one point, including costly missed penalties against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga at Estadio San Mames, matches that Madrid ultimately lost.
Mbappe attributed his early struggles to “mentality issues,” crediting his hard work and mental strength for playing a crucial role in his turnaround.
Despite an early-season slump, Mbappe occasionally found the back of the net, but consistency and scoring streaks eluded him.
However, a turning point came after his penalty miss against Athletic Bilbao in a 2-1 defeat, as he then scored eight goals in his next ten appearances across all competitions, showcasing his remarkable mental resilience.
His form surged in early January, with goals flowing in abundance. A notable milestone was reached on January 25, 2025, when Mbappe scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid in a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid, further boosting his confidence.
Mbappe continued to impress in the second half of the season, silencing doubters with his performances in high-pressure matches. He notched a hat-trick in a 3-0 Champions League win over Manchester City, followed by a crucial brace against Celta Vigo in a 3-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, keeping Real Madrid in the title hunt. His hat-trick against Barcelona in the league further solidified his reputation as a clutch performer in big games.
Kylian Mbappe concluded his La Liga debut season with an impressive 31 goals, securing the Pichichi Trophy by surpassing Robert Lewandowski.
His brace against Real Sociedad on the final matchday not only sealed the Pichichi Trophy but also clinched the European Golden Boot, edging out competitors like Viktor Gyokeres and Mohamed Salah.
Across all competitions, Mbappe scored 43 goals this season, shattering the record for most goals by a Real Madrid debutant in a single season, previously held by Ivan Zamorano with 37 goals in the 1992/93 season.
His 31 La Liga goals also broke the record for most La Liga goals scored by a Real Madrid debutant, surpassing Alfredo Di Stefano’s 27 goals in the 1953/54 season.
Notably, He became the first Real Madrid player to win the European Golden Boot since Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2014/15 season, etching his name alongside the club’s modern legends.
Kylian Mbappe’s debut season at Real Madrid is a testament to his resilience, mentality, and world-class talent. Despite a difficult start that saw fans and pundits question his form, he silenced the doubters in spectacular fashion. With both the Pichichi Trophy and European Golden Boot in hand, and the Club World Cup still on the horizon, Mbappe looks set to reach even greater heights under new manager Xabi Alonso.
