Real Madrid hired Jose Mourinho in large part to get the superstars on the same page and firing on all cylinders. Since signing Kylian Mbappe to a team that had won the double in 2023/24 with the fabled Power of Friendship, Real Madrid have won nothing and looked listless. And while Mbappe has back to back Pichichi trophies to his name, the Royal Whites have come up empty, though his former employers PSG are on two straight Champions League titles.
There is a lot of pressure on Mbappe, who had an amazing World Cup with France, again, as an individual but did not win the big trophy in the end. Mourinho is expected to raise Mbappe's game and mentality to another level, and if the Frenchman does not rise with him, the wrath he incurs could be much larger than what Luis Enrique handed to him.
In the final preseason game before the 2026/27 La Liga campaign officially begins for Real Madrid next weekend vs. Espanyol, Kylian Mbappe absolutely shredded up Schalke for 45 minutes. Yes, Schalke stink and are a far cry from where they were a decade ago when Mourinho was coaching and they were threatening in the Champions League, but they are still a credible opponent.
Kylian Mbappe looked explosive
And Mbappe was the best player on the pitch, electrifying and full of chance creation for himself and others. It was the most complete Mbappe we have seen in a Real Madrid kit in almost a year, as he struggled with himself since the Xabi Alonso exit. And even when Alonso was coaching, Mbappe wasn't quite as electric.
Real Madrid need to see a lot more from Mbappe against much bigger opponents than Schalke, including Espanyol this weekend and especially against the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the title fight.
But this was a huge first step in the right direction, and Real Madrid fans 100 percent took notice of what Mbappe did all around in terms of exploding past the defensive line and creating. Yan Diomande's arrival figures to be a big boon for Mbappe, as is Jose Mourinho's coaching and even the greater importance placed on Jude Bellingham closer to the attacking end.
Mbappe has so much quality, and Real Madrid fans are begging to see that every week in the biggest games under Mourinho so that they can win real silverware again. This was an encouraging sign for the club, no doubt.
Add us as a preferred source on Google