Kylian Mbappé, the French star who has revolutionized the global football landscape, finds himself at the center of a storm at Real Madrid after being handed the iconic number 10 shirt, inherited from the legendary Luka Modric. However, the excitement of assuming this symbolic number has been overshadowed by the unprecedented demands imposed by president Florentino Pérez for the 2025-26 season. According to sources close to the club, Mbappé is furious at the three strict conditions communicated to him, which mark a milestone in the club’s history due to their unusual nature and high level of demands. These demands, which seek to consolidate the Frenchman as the team’s absolute leader, have generated internal tensions and tested the relationship between the player and the board.
The first condition imposed by Pérez is that Mbappé must score a minimum of 40 goals in all competitions this season. This objective, although ambitious, is not entirely unattainable for a striker of his caliber, who has already demonstrated his goalscoring ability with 31 LaLiga goals in his first season with Real Madrid and a total of 43 goals in 56 matches. However, what has angered the Frenchman is the explicit pressure to surpass his own personal record of 44 goals in a season, set with Paris Saint-Germain. This demand, according to the player’s entourage, is perceived as a way to force him to perform at his best without considering external factors, such as adaptation to the team or possible injuries. Mbappé, who has already overcome moments of doubt at the club, feels this target is a disproportionate imposition that jeopardizes his confidence and focus on team play.
The second condition relates to his role as Real Madrid’s media and commercial leader. Wearing the number 10 shirt, the club expects Mbappé to be not only the star on the pitch, but also the visible face of the white brand globally. This includes actively participating in advertising campaigns, promotional events, and sponsorship activities, something the Frenchman has avoided in the past to focus on his football. The board, aware of the commercial impact of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, who generated millions in shirt sales, hopes Mbappé will drive a new commercial surge. However, the forward believes these extra responsibilities could distract him from his main objective: performing at his best in every match. The pressure of being the club’s commercial leader, combined with sporting expectations, has generated a feeling of frustration in the player, who feels that more than what is being demanded of him is reasonable.
The third condition, and perhaps the most controversial, is the obligation to adapt tactically to the system of Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s new coach following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. Pérez has insisted that Mbappé must fit perfectly into Alonso’s system, which entails sacrificing his individualistic style of play. During his first season, Mbappé faced criticism for his lack of connection with teammates like Vinícius Júnior, and the board expects the Frenchman to take on a more associative role, prioritizing the collective over his individual flashes. This demand has been particularly difficult to accept for Mbappé, who is considered a decisive player due to his ability to unbalance the game on his own. The idea of modifying his essence as a footballer to fit into a rigid system has generated friction with the board, especially because the Frenchman feels he is not being given the necessary space to shine in his natural style.
Mbappé’s fury stems not only from the conditions themselves, but also from the context in which they were communicated to him. After a first year in which he didn’t fully meet expectations, with moments of inconsistency and criticism of his performance in key matches like El Clásico, the Frenchman expected an unconditional vote of confidence from the club. Instead, these demands have been interpreted as a lack of support, which has fueled tensions. Despite his recent scoring streak, including a memorable hat trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, Mbappé feels Pérez’s demands are a way of questioning his commitment to the project.
The impact of these conditions goes beyond the sporting aspect. In the locker room, Mbappé’s situation has generated some concern, especially among the younger players, who see him as a natural leader but also as a figure under constant pressure. The fans, meanwhile, are divided: some support Pérez’s decision to demand the maximum from the Frenchman, while others fear that these demands could alienate the star and affect his performance. What is clear is that the 2025-26 season will be decisive for Mbappé. With the number 10 shirt on his back, the Frenchman has the opportunity to mark an era at Real Madrid, but he also faces the challenge of living up to unprecedented expectations. His relationship with Florentino Pérez, who has dealt with top-caliber stars in the past, will be key in determining whether Mbappé manages to overcome this obstacle or if, on the contrary, the pressure ends up shattering his Real Madrid dream
