Kylian Mbappé is entering his third season at Real Madrid, but he remains without a major trophy with the club, despite a standout performance in the recent World Cup with France. This has raised further expectations at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid’s iconic stadium, as fans and critics alike wonder why the union between the club and the superstar has not yet yielded success. During a tense press conference ahead of the return of the Champions League, Mbappé was questioned about the lack of success, including his relationship with teammate Vinicius Jr., reports of internal conflicts in the dressing room, and the overall team dynamic under former coaches Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa. He was also reminded that since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, his former club has won back-to-back Champions League titles, while Real Madrid has struggled to replicate the same level of success. Despite these challenges, Mbappé has had a stellar season, scoring 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid and adding 10 goals in the World Cup, cementing his place among the greatest players in tournament history. His performances have made him a top contender for the Ballon d’Or, which honors the world’s best player. However, the contrast between his success with France and his struggles with Real Madrid continues to cast a shadow over his time in Spain. With Jose Mourinho returning for a second stint at the club, expectations are high that the former manager’s reputation and experience might bring the necessary discipline and structure to the team. Real Madrid’s season has started with a 1-0 defeat against Real Betis, with Mbappé missing a crucial penalty late in the game. The team now trails defending champions Barcelona, who have already scored 17 goals in their first four LaLiga matches. Barcelona’s cohesive style of play, both offensively and defensively, is setting a high standard for Real Madrid to follow. Mbappé was asked about his defensive contributions and compared to players like Ousmane Dembélé at PSG or Raphinha at Barcelona, but he acknowledged the need for improvement. “I need to improve, but I don’t like comparing myself to others because I do a lot of things that others don’t,” he said. Mbappé’s time at Real Madrid has often focused on his goal-scoring ability, but the club will judge him on how well he contributes to the team’s overall success this season. With two trophyless campaigns behind him, the pressure is on both Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. to work together effectively. While Mbappé remains confident in his status as the best player in the world, he also recognizes that his position at Real Madrid means he will always be under scrutiny. The coming season will be crucial in determining whether he can finally bring success to the club he joined with high hopes.