During the summer transfer window, Real Madrid, the European and Spanish champions, strengthened their squad by bringing in two of the world’s most exciting attacking talents: Kylian Mbappe from France and Endrick from Brazil.
The high-profile transfers created a buzz around the club, with fans eagerly anticipating how these forwards would fit into the team. However, their early performances have drawn mixed reactions.
Kylian Mbappe, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, faced some initial criticism for his slow start in La Liga.
Despite his reputation, Mbappe failed to find the back of the net in his first three league appearances, leading to concerns about his adaptation to the Spanish league and the immense pressure that comes with wearing the Real Madrid shirt.
However, the Frenchman silenced his doubters in emphatic fashion by scoring a brace in a convincing victory against Real Betis, showcasing his lethal finishing and reminding everyone why he is considered one of football’s elite.
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Endrick, meanwhile, is still in the early stages of his Real Madrid career. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who is seen as a future star, has had limited opportunities on the pitch so far, having spent most of his time starting on the bench.
In his brief appearances, however, he has shown glimpses of his talent, managing to score once in just nine minutes of playing time. While his contributions have been minimal thus far, there is widespread belief that Endrick has a bright future ahead of him, and his gradual introduction to the team is part of Real Madrid’s long-term strategy.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, a veteran coach with a wealth of experience managing top clubs, has expressed his satisfaction with how both players are settling into their new surroundings.
He remains confident that both Mbappe and Endrick will play crucial roles as the team aims to replicate last season’s success, where they won both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. Ancelotti is optimistic that the two forwards will be instrumental in another strong campaign.
Speaking at a conference in Mexico, Ancelotti highlighted the demanding nature of playing for Real Madrid, stating,
“Real Madrid has very high standards because it’s the biggest club in the world. It has the greatest players. You have to be able to bring their quality to the service of the club. That’s what we try to do every year.”
His words serve as a reminder that joining Real Madrid comes with immense responsibility and pressure to perform, regardless of past accomplishments.
Ancelotti also emphasized the need for every player, especially the new signings, to give their all on the pitch. He added,
“This year, the new players like Kylian and Endrick are adapting very well. We’re going to have a great season competing in all competitions. Winning is very complicated, but our duty is to compete in every game, as always at this club. Never give up and compete until the end. That’s what you have to do when you put on that shirt.”
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As Real Madrid’s campaign continues, both players are expected to be pivotal in their quest for more silverware.
However, the international break has provided a brief respite from club duties. Mbappe, after facing some criticism for his performance with the French national team during their 3-1 loss to Italy in the UEFA Nations League, will be looking to bounce back with a stronger showing in their upcoming match against Belgium.
Meanwhile, Endrick could potentially feature for Brazil as they prepare to take on Paraguay, having been left on the bench during their previous fixture against Ecuador.
The season is still in its early stages, and while Mbappe and Endrick are under intense scrutiny, there is ample time for them to prove their worth and leave their mark at Real Madrid.
With Ancelotti’s confidence in their abilities and the club’s ambitious goals, both forwards are set to play integral roles in what could be another successful year for Los Blancos.