Explosive stats and all-around performance—could this be the best Mbappé yet?

Written by Han Bing Is this the best Mbappé? At least based on peak stats from the beginning of this season combined with his El Clásico performance, this is the top Mbappé. He opened the season with 19 goals and 4 assists in 16 games, scoring in 14 matches including 11 straight games—his best career start in 10 years. Besides, the French Ligue 1’s level of competition is clearly inferior to that of La Liga.

The recently concluded first leg of this season’s Spanish El Clásico best showcased Mbappé’s peak form this season. He opened the scoring for Real Madrid and scored a stunning goal that was disallowed for offside due to a shin guard. His efforts helped Real Madrid end a five-game losing streak against Barcelona. After a settling-in period during his debut season, Mbappé is poised to begin a new era truly his own at Real Madrid.

Today, Mbappé is Real Madrid’s undisputed top star and finisher. In the first 13 matches of the season, he scored 16 goals and provided 2 assists, accounting for 53% of the team’s goals and involvement in 60% of their scoring. This season, Mbappé has scored half (11) of Real Madrid’s 22 La Liga goals, and recently, out of 33 league goals, 20 have come from him. Additionally, Mbappé has netted 12 goals in 9 matches against Barcelona, averaging 1.33 goals per game! Out of Real Madrid’s last 9 goals versus Barcelona, 6 were scored by Mbappé, making the French star Barcelona’s absolute nemesis.

So far in 2025, Mbappé has scored 46 goals for his club in a single calendar year, making him the first French player to do so since Fontaine in 1958. For the French national team, Mbappé became a full-fledged number 9 during last year’s European Championship. This year, he has scored in 5 consecutive matches for France, tallying 5 goals and 4 assists. With a total of 53 goals, he has surpassed the legendary Henry’s 51 goals to become the second-highest scorer in French national team history, and it’s only a matter of time before he overtakes Giroud’s record of 57 to become France’s all-time top scorer.

This career-best start undoubtedly marks an ideal “opening success” to usher in the Mbappé era. Last season, Mbappé ranked only 7th in Ballon d’Or points, his lowest in six years. This season’s Ballon d’Or level start is especially crucial for him. After breaking the losing streak in El Clásico, under Alonso’s guidance, Mbappé has reached his peak form. Following the Clásico, he has become the frontrunner for next year’s Ballon d’Or. If Real Madrid wins the Champions League and France claims the World Cup, Mbappé’s dream will come true.

Mbappé’s versatility stems from Real Madrid’s more aggressive high pressing, with Alonso granting him greater freedom to express himself. The team’s attacking tactics revolve entirely around Mbappé. He enjoys more liberty to launch attacks and score from his favored left flank. Mbappé is no longer just a pure scorer; he also dribbles, creates chances, and participates more in overall team play. His ability to track back and press in the attacking third has significantly improved, making him a truly all-around striker.

Besides that, he takes on the responsibility of initiating attacks from the left side and interacting more with teammates to create opportunities. In matches where club appearances are comparable, his number of touches, successful passes, and chances created exceed the combined totals of Kane and Haaland. His successful dribbles are nearly three times the sum of those two star forwards.

Compared to the tall and powerful Kane and Haaland, Mbappé resembles a hybrid of numbers 7, 9, and 10. This season, he accounts for 53% of all Real Madrid goals, exerting even greater influence than last season. Alonso emphasizes close coordination among attacking players, using frequent passing and movement to create space. Compared to last season, Alonso’s high pressing makes the attack appear slower but more organized and purposeful. Real Madrid regains possession an average of 8.8 times per game within 40 meters of the opponent’s goal—almost double last season. Their shots per game after high pressing recoveries (2.5) also doubled from last season. These changes have created more scoring opportunities for Mbappé.

Alonso openly stated that Mbappé’s importance to Real Madrid goes far beyond just scoring goals: “He has a decisive impact on Real Madrid’s tactics and the dressing room, without a doubt.” While Alonso’s transformation of Real Madrid is still ongoing, his work with Mbappé can already be deemed a success.

Mbappé’s phenomenal performance this season owes not only to Alonso’s tactical adjustments but also to his personal dedication. A food poisoning incident during the Club World Cup in late June unexpectedly gave Mbappé a rare rest after last season. Alongside losing 6 kilograms, he improved his muscle quality through training, resulting in comprehensive enhancements in speed, explosiveness, stamina, and mental toughness. Becoming captain of the French team has also boosted his team spirit and leadership in Real Madrid’s locker room. After the El Clásico brawl, he restrained an impulsive Vinícius, though ultimately his own temper flared and had to be held back by staff. To become a true leader at Real Madrid, Mbappé still needs more time.

With two top teams’ attacking resources fully focused on him, Mbappé not only achieves striker-level scoring efficiency but also improves his overall abilities. Alonso has deployed him in multiple tactical roles—from center forward, shadow striker to number 10—adjusting based on opponents. Mbappé is also more willing to defend, ranking among La Liga’s top offensive players in interceptions in the opponent’s half. Mbappé’s increased effort on both ends of the pitch defines the best version of himself.