Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe at the worst possible time—with Paris Saint-Germain playing in the Champions League final—is even worse than the massive Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham moves.
Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe at the worst possible time—with Paris Saint-Germain playing in the Champions League final—is even worse than the massive Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham moves. That’s the whisper now echoing around European soccer circles as one of the game’s brightest stars finds himself on the outside of greatness, not because of his ability, but because of when he chose to chase it.
When Kylian Mbappe officially joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, the world braced for a new Galactico era. It was a move years in the making, a transfer saga that spanned seasons and tugged at the emotions of fans in Paris and Madrid alike. Many believed the Frenchman had finally arrived where he belonged: under the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu, chasing the European glory that had eluded him in Paris.
But soccer — and fate — had other plans.
Mbappe’s first season in Madrid has not unfolded as scripted. Los Blancos were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage, relinquished their domestic crown by finishing second in La Liga, and came away empty-handed in both the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. The arrival of one of the world’s most electrifying forwards was meant to elevate the club to greater heights — instead, it has coincided with a sobering decline in silverware.
Bittersweet view from afar
Meanwhile, 1,000 km (621 miles) away in Paris, Mbappe’s former club is preparing for a Champions League final. The very triumph that haunted him season after season at PSG — the elusive European crown — is now within touching distance for the team he left behind.
It’s a cruel twist of fate. For years, the superstar forward remained in the French capital, defying the pull of Madrid, hoping to deliver a historic first Champions League trophy to his hometown club. But when he finally let go of that dream to chase European dominance in Spain, Luis Enrique and his players soared without him.
Great divide between greatness and timing
Mbappe’s plight is made all the more striking when viewed alongside the successes of his peers. Erling Haaland, for instance, made the move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City in 2022. In his first season, he smashed records and helped City win the treble — Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League — all in the space of a year.
Jude Bellingham, another Dortmund product, joined Real Madrid in 2023 and immediately captured both La Liga and the Champions League in his debut campaign. These players made their career-defining leaps at precisely the right moments, landing in clubs ready to deliver immediate success.
By contrast, the 26-year-old joined Madrid after the party ended, as some critics are now putting it. He is watching the Parisians’ historic European run unfold from a distance, just months after departing. For a player who has always prided himself on ambition and control of his narrative, the timing could not be more painful.
There was a moment in 2022 when Mbappe could have moved to the Spanish capital. Instead, he made headlines by signing a blockbuster extension at the Parc des Princes, a decision that many saw as bold, even admirable. He stayed loyal. He stayed patient. But he also missed the window.
