What Happened to Kylian Mbappé?

Kylian Mbappé's career has been marked by meteoric rises and high-profile transfers. After making his professional debut with Monaco in December 2015 and winning the Ligue 1 title in 2017, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2017, initially on loan before a permanent transfer worth €180 million, making him the second-most expensive player ever. During his time at PSG, Mbappé solidified his status as one of the world's best, becoming the club's all-time top scorer with 256 goals and winning six French league titles. He also played a pivotal role in France's 2018 FIFA World Cup victory, scoring in the final, and earned the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup despite France finishing as runners-up.

After years of intense speculation, Mbappé finally realized his childhood dream by joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in June 2024. His debut season (2024-25) at the Santiago Bernabéu was individually successful, as he won the Pichichi Trophy for La Liga's top scorer and the European Golden Shoe, scoring 31 league goals and 43 across all competitions. However, the team's collective performance reportedly fell short of expectations, with Real Madrid failing to advance past the Champions League quarter-finals in his first two seasons and Barcelona often dominating domestically.

The current 2025-26 season has seen a deepening crisis for Mbappé at Real Madrid. In May 2026, he became embroiled in a public dispute with interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa, claiming he was relegated to a "fourth-choice" striker role despite being fully fit. This outburst followed reports of a training ground bust-up and criticism for a trip to Italy while injured. Mbappé was subsequently booed by Real Madrid fans during a match against Real Oviedo, and an online petition for his sale garnered millions of signatures. The situation has escalated to the point where Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez reportedly summoned Mbappé for an urgent meeting on May 16, 2026, to discuss his future and address the internal tensions.

Despite the turmoil, Real Madrid has publicly stated no intention of selling Mbappé, especially with Jose Mourinho reportedly set to take over as manager, who is seen as a key backer for the French star. Mbappé himself has expressed happiness at Real Madrid, stating he is not leaving. On the international front, Mbappé's standing remains undiminished; he was named captain of the French national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He continues to be a central figure for France, aiming for a second World Cup title. His contract with Nike is also reportedly set to expire in July 2026, potentially sparking a bidding war among rival brands.