If we take a moment to examine Kylian Mbappé's recent performances for Real Madrid, the results might come as a shock, and not an encouraging one for Carlo Ancelotti's team.

In his last eight matches, Mbappé has scored just one goal, marking his worst scoring run at the club level since 2021. This statistic alone could leave many Madridistas wondering if this is the player they had so eagerly awaited.

Unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu in front of over 70,000 fans, the spectacle recalled the electrifying debut of Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet, any comparison between the two reveals stark differences in impact.

Unrealized Expectations

The idea was that Mbappé would elevate the team's overall play and make Real Madrid dominant in every competition. Now, a third into his debut season with the club, the French forward has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to meet the lofty expectations set for him.

Measuring Success by Goals

Mbappé’s success will ultimately be judged by his scoring output. To match the contributions of last season's top scorers for Madrid, Jude Bellingham (19 goals) and Vinícius Jr. (15 goals), he would need to at least surpass these numbers. Ideally, reaching between 25 and 30 goals, as he consistently did in his last four seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, would silence the critics.

Currently, Madrid’s performances appear less convincing compared to last season—a sentiment echoed by Carlo Ancelotti in recent press conferences.

PSG vs. Real Madrid: A Statistical Comparison

At this stage of the season with PSG, Mbappé had already netted three goals in the Champions League and an impressive 14 goals in Ligue 1 over 13 matches.

In contrast, for Real Madrid, he has managed just nine goals in 17 games across all competitions, with seven in LaLiga. While this makes him the team’s second-highest scorer, trailing only Vinícius Jr., his overall contribution feels underwhelming.

Lack of Creativity in Playmaking

According to ESPN, Mbappé has created 13 chances in LaLiga this season, which includes key passes and assists. While a respectable number, it pales compared to league leaders.

Raphinha (Barcelona): 44 chances created, making him a frontrunner for Player of the Season.

Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid): 29 chances, over twice as many as Mbappé.

Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): 26 chances each.

Out of 127 forwards who have played at least one minute in LaLiga this season, 14 have created more chances than Mbappé.

Falling Short in Big Chances

In terms of big chances created—defined as opportunities where a teammate is reasonably expected to score—Mbappé has only managed two so far this season.

Comparatively:

• Raphinha (Barcelona): Leads with 14 big chances.

• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): Follows with 12.

• Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) and Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid): Seven each.

These numbers highlight that, while Mbappé remains a pivotal figure for Real Madrid, his ability to create decisive moments for his teammates lags behind other offensive leaders in LaLiga.