Although, on some level, it would have been a fairytale story for Kylian Mbappe to lead PSG to the Champions League crown in his final season with the club before embarking on his dream of starring for Real Madrid, the alternative may end up being the more sensible conclusion to a story that was never really a fairytale to begin with.
Mbappe grew up in Paris and has a great love for his city. But during his career with PSG, he has earned a reputation for getting in his own way.
In 2022, Mbappe told Florentino Perez he would sign with Real Madrid that summer, only to back out on a handshake agreement and sign an unprecedented financial contract with PSG that included an even more unprecedented level of control for a player over personnel decisions.
PSG ended up being no better off after giving Mbappe that control, as their subsequent investments have left them with an arguably even worse squad than the one that contained Lionel Messi and Neymar, who was always the more impressive of the two superstars during their time together in the Champions League.
After seemingly turning the negative Champions League narrative on its head by owning Real Madrid rival Barcelona in a second leg quarterfinal Remontada, Mbappe became the subject of widespread derision on social media for ghosting in both semifinal legs against Borussia Dortmund.
Neymar fans gleefully rejoiced in Mbappe’s disappointment, Erling Haaland fans laughed at their modern day Player FC rival, Cristiano Ronaldo fans wondered why on earth Mbappe was seen as his heir, and even Real Madrid fans jumped in by joyfully proclaiming that his performance proves Mbappe needs them much more than Real Madrid needs him.
There is some truth to that final statement, given Real Madrid have a gamut of attacking talent in Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Arda Guler, and Endrick.
Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. are both arguably superior players to Mbappe anyway, so when Mbappe does arrive at Real Madrid, he cannot dominate the locker room in the same way he could have if he said he was the one to carry PSG to a Champions League trophy.
Now, Kylian Mbappe arrives at Real Madrid more dangerous, though. He will be a wounded animal, hungry but humbled by yet another poor individual showing and humiliating team performance on a big Champions League stage.
Real Madrid are getting the guy with all the talent in the world but recently saddled with disappointment. Mbappe has blown a league title to Lille, missed a penalty in the European Championships, been embarrassed by Real Madrid in the Champions League, humbled by Lionel Messi in a World Cup Final, and now owned by a flawed Dortmund side.
Mbappe has more to prove and less to be arrogant about when he arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu. That gives Carlo Ancelotti, the best manager in the world at working with star forwards, the perfect storm to unleash the most monstrous version of Kylian Mbappe yet at Real Madrid.
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