La Liga recently announced the Player of the Month for September, and it was no surprise that Kylian Mbappé claimed the honor, having scored five goals and provided one assist during the period. He helped Real Madrid secure three wins in their last four matches, suffering only a 2–5 defeat against Atlético Madrid. That loss sparked some criticism of Real Madrid’s performances, but as one of the top clubs in world football, the team is always subject to intense scrutiny from its supporters—an inevitability at such a high level.
Despite this, Mbappé’s individual performance was impeccable. He is undoubtedly one of the top forwards in La Liga and in world football. Beyond his impressive September form, he has maintained this level of performance throughout the new season. In the first six games of the season, he has already scored 10 goals and provided 1 assist—almost a “routine” for him. According to a Real Madrid correspondent, Mbappé lost at least 6 kilograms through personal training before the season and converted the excess fat into muscle. This transformation has further enhanced his speed and agility on the pitch, making his finishing sharper and contributing more goals for the team.
Real Madrid’s new head coach Xavi Alonso expressed great satisfaction with Mbappé’s progress. In interviews, Mbappé also mentioned that he fully embraces the new coach’s tactical system. The team’s overall style aligns with his personal strengths, and his position on the field allows him to make full use of his abilities. Mbappé expressed gratitude to Alonso and said he hopes to help the new coach achieve more success at Real Madrid.
Although Mbappé’s individual performances are spectacular, Real Madrid’s overall results are still only “moderately satisfactory.” While their results are decent, they are not yet at the level expected by fans and the club, especially highlighted in the match against Atlético Madrid, which exposed several issues. The instability of younger players and the lack of cohesion between defense and attack are problems the coach needs to address quickly. Meanwhile, Mbappé still faces an “old challenge”—despite scoring frequently, Real Madrid has not always secured comfortable wins. Achieving a perfect blend of individual brilliance and team performance will require continued effort.
For Mbappé, the future challenge lies in helping the team more effectively. If he relies solely on his own goals, he risks a repeat of last season—where, despite winning the Golden Boot, Real Madrid failed to secure any major honors. Only by combining his individual scoring with overall team performance, elevating the entire squad, can Real Madrid achieve better results and ultimately reach higher podiums. This is also the foundation for Mbappé’s pursuit of the Ballon d’Or.
In short, only through collective effort can both individual and team goals be fully realized.
