Spanish press turns to Kylian Mbappe after Real Madrid debut and questions arise

Kylian Mbappe is already feeling the pressure from the Spanish press after going two games without scoring in La Liga for Real Madrid. Mbappe, who signed for Los Blancos on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer after several years of waiting, has yet to make a name for himself in Spain.

The 25-year-old Frenchman made his home debut for the Spanish and European champions on Sunday night, with some 85,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium with two things on their minds: victory and Mbappe's first goal of the season.

Sure, the forward had already scored on his UEFA Super Cup debut, but a La Liga match in front of a Real Madrid crowd is a different story. But his goal didn't come despite a 3-0 win, with fans instead witnessing a disappointing performance from a player now tipped to win the Ballon d'Or.

Mbappe struggled in tight spaces and missed two big chances. To cap it all, his replacement, 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Endrick, thunderously found the back of the net within minutes of coming on.

Two games without a goal could have seemed interminable for Mbappe, who has scored 256 goals in 308 appearances for PSG. And it seems that the press is also starting to scrutinize his disappointing performances, even claiming that his big night was overshadowed by Endrick's.

As Spanish newspaper Marca put it: “Mbappé tried but failed to score at the Bernabeu. Endrick stole the show,” while AS wrote: “It was Mbappé's party, but Endrick stole the show.” Antena 3 Deportes called his debut at the Bernabeu “mediocre and sloppy.”

A columnist from Cadena SER added insult to injury: “Players, whatever their name and status, have to move.” Another who has already lost patience is former Real Madrid player and advisor Alvarao Benito, who said: “Mbappé is not the kind of player who makes a difference when he has the ball in front of him. Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrigo… I don't know, for me there is one too many.”

Despite the external rumours, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is not worried. The legendary coach of the Merengues, who has won a record seven Champions Leagues, believes that it is only a matter of time before his recruitment shows its full greatness.

After the match, he went to greet the players as usual, briefly exchanging with Mbappe. Perez reportedly encouraged the 2018 World Cup winner by telling him: “You'll get it next time, for sure. You were very close to scoring several times today.”