Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti issued a warning to La Liga rivals on Saturday, declaring that superstar Kylian Mbappe’s adaptation period is now over.
The French forward, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, initially delivered inconsistent performances but has begun showcasing the brilliance that marks him as one of the best players in the world.
Mbappe, now 26, has scored 13 goals in 23 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, and Ancelotti is confident that more will follow. “I think his adaptation period is over. He’s shown a good version of himself, and he can still improve. He’s motivated, excited, and happy to be here,” said Ancelotti during a press conference.
Mbappe recently returned from a thigh injury, scoring in Real Madrid’s victory over Pachuca to secure the Intercontinental Cup midweek. Despite off-field issues and the challenge of finding his place among star teammates like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, Mbappe is now a more integrated part of the team.
Ancelotti emphasized that Mbappe’s next step is achieving greater consistency. “He needs to make his unique moves more frequently. I don’t ask him to be heavily involved in the build-up; his focus should be on breaking loose and putting the ball in the net,” said the coach.
Real Madrid, currently third in La Liga, will face Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Meanwhile, joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash on Saturday in a high-stakes match.
Ancelotti predicted a tightly contested title race this season. “This league will be much more competitive than in recent years. Atletico have everything they need to fight for it, and the title can be won with fewer than 90 points,” he concluded.
