Mbappé and the trap of excellence: When defensive criticism becomes the 'new normal'

In the 72nd minute of a La Liga match, the ball is lost in Real Madrid's half. Kylian Mbappé stands watching the opponent surge forward, hands on hips, while his teammates scramble back. That moment, once again, becomes a hot topic on social media: 'Mbappé doesn't run, doesn't defend.' It's a familiar scene for anyone who followed the French star from his PSG days. But this time, Mbappé didn't stay silent. In an interview with L'Équipe, the 26-year-old striker responded bluntly: 'I think this is not normal, but this is the life of someone who has experienced excellence for years.' He argues that people always look at what he doesn't do, rather than acknowledging what he has contributed. For a star with over 300 career goals, that statement is both defensive and a declaration of war against media pressure. But from a tactical perspective, the story is not a simple war of words. Look at the data: this article provides no numbers on tackles, pressures per 90, or distance covered for Mbappé. That means all we have are impressions and video clips. I used to believe in absolute data, until the 2026 World Cup taught me a lesson. But here, there is no data to refute or confirm the criticism. That's a worrying gap. In reality, criticism of top forwards' defensive work is perennial. Haaland was criticized for not pressing, Neymar for sulking after losing the ball. Mbappé is no exception. What sets him apart is his reaction. He doesn't admit fault, doesn't promise improvement. He positions himself as someone who has proven everything, and that all criticism is a consequence of sustained excellence. Here a counter-intuitive angle emerges: Mbappé's very consistency in scoring has created a distorted expectation. People are used to him scoring, so when a match goes goalless, they dig into other things—like defense. Mbappé understands this. He once said: 'If I don't score, they ask why I don't score. If I score, they ask why I don't defend.' It's a no-win loop. But this is also a tactical blind spot. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti, known for man-management, must consider: if Real Madrid lose a big game because a goal conceded comes from Mbappé's flank, the pressure will multiply. Then the excuse 'I've been excellent for years' will no longer carry weight. The best system is not one that can't lose, but one that can't collapse. And Mbappé, in his current role, could be the weakest link in Madrid's defensive chain. However, his mental resilience is undeniable. When asked about criticism, Mbappé said: 'I have a balanced approach: I know constructive criticism and illogical criticism.' He is not afraid, nor does he appear fragile. That's a sign of a player accustomed to the summit. But as a long-time analyst, I see an unanswered question: could this confidence become a barrier to growth? When a player believes he is 'too excellent to be criticized,' does he still have the motivation to improve his weaknesses? Look back, data from the 2026 Asian qualifiers was the starting point of everything, but here, the story is not about data. It's about how media and fans create unrealistic expectations, and how the star responds. Mbappé has a point when he says he is scrutinized more because he has been at the top for so long. But modern football is not just about scoring; it's about 90 minutes of movement, pressing, and sacrifice for the team. Finally, I'll leave a question, not a summary. This season, if Real Madrid face a high-pressing team like Manchester City or Bayern Munich, will Mbappé agree to run more, or will he again stand with his arms folded? The answer, as always, will come on the pitch.