- Kylian Mbappé has had a disappointing start to the season in Spain
- The Frenchman missed two penalties in defeats in seven days
- LISTEN NOW to It all starts!: Why can’t Chelsea win the league? They made seven changes and still scored five. Do you think Liverpool could do that?
Kylian Mbappe reportedly held talks with some of Real Madrid’s key players following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, expressing his intention to become more of a leader in the future.
Mbappe has had a disappointing start to life at the Bernabeu, scoring just six goals from open play in 20 games.
The superstar Frenchman was given some leeway by the fans as he adapted to his new surroundings, but the pressure is mounting on him after two costly penalty misses in the space of a week.
Mbappe saw his penalty saved in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League, before seeing another penalty denied in Wednesday’s defeat to Bilbao.
And Diario AS claims he sidelined some of the team’s heavyweights after the match.
The 25-year-old is said to have admitted his shortcomings so far this season and vowed to show his true self in the future.
Mbappe stressed that he wants to be the leader of the project as the team tries to find last season’s form.
His comments are said to have been well received by Los Blancos’ hierarchy, who had expected such an attitude when he arrived.
Criticism of Mbappé was not only aimed at his performances, but also at his behavior on the pitch. Fans claim that he sometimes looks disinterested.
The World Cup winner spoke out about his recent frustrations in a short Instagram post after the defeat, which left Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.
An honest Mbappe told his 122 million followers on the social media platform: ‘Bad result. A big mistake in a match where every detail counts.
‘I take full responsibility. It’s a difficult time, but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am,” he added.”