In recent discussions about Europe’s most gifted attackers, many fans refer to Kylian Mbappe, and even Crickex Affiliate analyses often highlight his explosive talent and unpredictable style. Yet his approach on the pitch has gradually shifted in a way that troubles supporters of his own club. Some believe he is trying to imitate Lionel Messi by dropping deeper to carry the ball and showcase his technique, but the comparison only exposes their differences. Mbappe’s attempts to take on that creative role often pull him farther away from the penalty area, limiting both his own threat and his team’s attacking rhythm.

Others argue that Mbappe is following the late-career path of Cristiano Ronaldo, reducing physical battles and saving more energy for finishing. Ronaldo covered massive ground early in his career, but as he aged, he shifted into the box to wait for decisive moments. Recent statistics reveal a sharp contrast: Erling Haaland registered only 18 offsides in his last 108 matches, while Mbappe was caught offside 111 times in 109 games. Even then, he falls short of Ronaldo’s extreme anticipation style, as Ronaldo accumulated 143 offsides in just 95 matches across three seasons, displaying a level of dominance in positioning that Mbappe has not yet matched.

Another issue lies in Mbappe’s overreliance on his dominant right foot. Across World Cup qualifiers and Champions League fixtures this season, all ten of his goals came from the same foot. Haaland, by contrast, scored 19 goals with a more balanced profile: nine with his strong left foot, four with his right, and six with his head. These numbers underline a simple truth: Mbappe may aspire to Messi’s creativity, but he lacks Messi’s passing vision and playmaking instincts. He may also want to emulate Ronaldo’s penalty-box mastery, yet he does not consistently attack aerial balls or dominate in tight spaces the same way.

This helps explain why Real Madrid have struggled in key matchups since his arrival. From defeats to AC Milan, consecutive heavy losses to Liverpool, and last season’s four-match sweep by Barcelona, to being eliminated 5–1 by Arsenal and suffering a record Madrid derby loss to Atlético, the pattern has been worrying. Their only consolation was a narrow 2–1 home win against a half-strength Barcelona, a match they nearly allowed to slip away in the second half. Performances in major clashes have declined, and Mbappe’s evolving style is frequently cited as part of the problem.

Crickex Affiliate discussions often mention another flaw in his current approach: during counterattacks, he tends to hold his run, forcing teammates to wait for him instead of driving forward collectively. This funnels most shooting opportunities toward him, even though efficiency data shows his conversion rate is significantly lower than Haaland’s. Crickex Affiliate debates reflect a growing consensus that while Mbappe’s individual ability remains extraordinary, continuing down this path will make winning major titles increasingly difficult for both him and his team.