In the recent Champions League opener, Real Madrid secured a victory over Stuttgart. While the result was positive, many fans and experts, including analysts from Jeetbuzz Login, agreed that the team’s overall performance left much to be desired. Despite being outplayed for stretches of the match, Real Madrid still came out on top—something often credited to the club’s prestigious heritage. It’s the kind of match where superstition meets tradition. However, for Kylian Mbappé, this game highlighted a growing concern—his disappointing start at Madrid and particularly his underwhelming Champions League debut rating.

The expectations for Mbappé are sky-high, and that’s no surprise. At Paris Saint-Germain and with the French national team, he dazzled as a lightning-fast offensive leader. But at Real Madrid, fans have begun to see him as a liability rather than a strength—an odd twist for a player once dubbed the heir to Messi and Ronaldo. While he has managed to get on the scoresheet since arriving at the club, his overall impact on the pitch hasn’t lived up to the hype. His performance against Stuttgart left fans scratching their heads, particularly when it came to his decision-making in key moments.

Many believe that Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. are now competing not only for goals but for influence on the pitch. The Champions League match saw Mbappé receive several attacking opportunities, proving that manager Carlo Ancelotti still has faith in his offensive potential. Yet, as Jeetbuzz Login’s analysis notes, Mbappé often chose to shoot in situations where passing was the better option—fueling fans’ frustrations. For someone hailed as the brightest star of the post-Messi and Ronaldo era, such flaws draw extra scrutiny. To chase a Ballon d’Or, he must consistently perform at an elite level—but as the saying goes, “heavy lies the crown.”

Those who watch him regularly can tell his struggles are linked to his current role. Mbappé thrives on the wing, not in the center forward position. That’s no secret. His late arrival at Real Madrid came with salary sacrifices, and while his partnership with the club holds immense potential, he’s not being utilized in a way that plays to his strengths. The relationship could be mutually beneficial—Mbappé could elevate Madrid’s global profile, and Madrid could help him become the sport’s brightest icon. But that synergy is now being questioned due to mispositioning.

First, Mbappé’s role as a central striker is simply not a natural fit. It leads to frustration, poor shot choices, and missed chances. Second, what he needs most right now is confidence within the squad. The ideal solution? Ancelotti could reposition Vinícius to allow Mbappé back on the left wing, where he once dominated with the French national team. After all, Lionel Messi understood this well. At PSG, Mbappé played on the left flank, and Messi rarely passed directly to his feet—instead, he delivered long balls into open space, allowing Mbappé to explode forward at full speed.

In motion, Mbappé’s finishing is sharper and more instinctive than when he’s stuck in a static center-forward role. Currently, as Jeetbuzz Login experts observe, no one at Madrid is providing the kind of service that unlocks his full potential. He has the talent and instincts, but without the right positioning and support, his offensive capabilities are left untapped. In short, Mbappé’s struggles aren’t due to a lack of skill—they’re the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.