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The small and noteworthy record went unnoticed on the eventful evening, largely due to Kylian Mbappe’s disappointment in not achieving victory.
During the 2022 World Cup final, the French player scored the fastest and most powerful goal of the entire tournament, with a speed of 123.34km/h. The spin volley was a perfect display of Mbappe’s unstoppable talent and determination. Despite his team’s loss, Mbappe proved to be more than just a supporting player, as he confidently took on a leading role. This only added to the incredible narrative of Lionel Messi, as both players showcased their peak abilities and unwavering determination.
Although the Paris Saint-Germain striker was not able to follow in Pele’s footsteps by winning two consecutive World Cups, he appeared to be on track to surpass Messi as the next top player in the world. Mbappe’s performance throughout the tournament in Qatar was truly mesmerizing, with his hat-trick in the final solidifying his position as the top scorer.
He appeared determined to utilize his abundant talent, but has not accomplished much since then. Mbappe’s performance has noticeably declined since scoring that goal.
What notable accomplishments has he achieved since then?
A remarkable goal was scored from far away against Gibraltar, but otherwise, there was not much action on the field. Mbappe’s post-World Cup journey has been marked by a string of off-field issues, mainly his disagreement with PSG over not signing a new contract last summer. His performance in the Champions League has been lackluster, and there are low expectations for this season.
It says much that two of Mbappe’s juniors, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, drive most of the discussion there. They’re in a much better position to have more impact in the biggest club competition of all and that already fosters the belief they might overtake him at the top, rather than merely joining him there.
During an NBA game in Paris, Mbappe was seen in attendance at the match between the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
This might well be the true price of signing so many massive contracts for a sportswashing project whose financial strength has rendered the French league irrelevant. Except, Mbappe is now expected to leave PSG. The question is no longer just where.
There is a question of whether Mbappe is at risk of squandering his exceptional abilities.
It may seem surprising for someone who has achieved success in two World Cups and two finals, but his exceptional talent calls for even greater recognition. Additionally, the focus of football has shifted to the club level, where influence is now most significant. However, he has chosen to play his entire career in a less popular major league, which is one of the reasons why he is not as widely discussed as players like Haaland or Bellingham.
Mbappe’s constant transfer speculation has overshadowed his performance on the field. This has caused frustration among PSG’s leadership, who have grown tired of the recurring saga happening more frequently. While Mbappe may view this as a necessary part of being in the spotlight, it could potentially harm his legacy. This sentiment is shared in France, and it is important to note how much it personally affects Mbappe. It was reported that he was devastated after losing the World Cup final and the opportunity to match Pele’s achievements.
It would be more advantageous to generate media attention for his performances. However, he is only recognized in the larger football community a few times a year.
There have been rumors connecting the striker to a transfer to Real Madrid in recent years.
One thing to consider is why he is not taking all necessary actions to guarantee that there is nothing left behind on the field and that he will have no regrets about his time in the sport. It seems as though there has already been a significant lack of direction.
There is a growing belief that Mbappe’s decision-making is influenced poorly, leading him to prioritize excessive attention over his career.
The PSG team leaders anticipate his move to Real Madrid, but that is no longer considered certain. While there is an offer on the table, the salary does not meet Mbappe’s expectations. Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has also grown frustrated with the 25-year-old, especially after offering him counsel following his disappointment at Euro 2020. Perez believed he had convinced Mbappe to join the team in 2022, only to be surprised when the French player signed a new contract with PSG. This may have been a pivotal moment in Mbappe’s career, one that only becomes clear in hindsight, especially since the Qatari-owned club regrets giving him so much power.
Mbappe has recently recognized that he should have left a long time ago because he realized that the PSG team he was on was not allowing him to reach his full potential. His team believes that the Qatari project repeatedly promised to help him develop, but those promises were not kept. Some argue that his decline in performance over the past year is partly due to the environment at PSG, which has been described by a former coach as not being conducive to excellence.
The team that has won the Ligue 1 championship multiple times still faced a sense of disloyalty when Mbappe’s associates contacted Liverpool last year. However, the Liverpool management did not make an offer, indicating that they were not desperate enough to disrupt their financial strategy. Similarly, Mbappe has expressed a desire to join Arsenal, partially due to the legacy of previous player Thierry Henry. This focus on history and iconic players was once a major factor in his career decisions.
Unfortunately, despite having great vision and thinking on a larger level, Mbappe’s choices are surprisingly restricted. This is a paradox of his talent, yet a result of the current state of the sport.
Surrendering the battle: it seems as if Mbappe should have departed PSG earlier.
The football industry has seen a significant concentration of wealth and skilled players at the top, resulting in only a select few clubs being able to afford the high wages demanded by these stars. As a result, clubs have come to the realization that it is not financially viable to pay exorbitant amounts for players in their prime. This has caused a shift in the market, with even the largest clubs now prioritizing the acquisition of younger talent.
There are two primary reasons for this. The first is clearly economics. The second is tactics.
The current state of the game relies heavily on a structured and fast-paced style, favoring young and energetic players. Mbappe has been criticized for not utilizing his talent effectively and being too focused on himself. He fails to conform to the highly organized and team-oriented approach required in modern football, which has caused him to drift from the norm.
It is quite ironic that the two teams who have been fighting over his future the most, Madrid and PSG, are now both fully embracing this strategic method.
Perez, under the influence of Brazilian mentor Juni Calafat, recognized five years ago the necessity to alter their approach in response to state-owned clubs. This led to the development of a top-notch young team, almost covertly. Mbappe was originally intended to be the forefront of this team, utilizing his speed, but now the focus has shifted just as quickly to Bellingham. The extent of Madrid’s moves this summer is yet to be determined.
The Frenchman is widely regarded as the top player in the world, but his future is still uncertain.
The PSG organization originally viewed Mbappe as the key player for their future plans, but they are now contemplating the possibility of him not being a part of their team. Interestingly, by letting go of Mbappe, they may actually achieve the team dynamic that he had been hoping for. All of the other highly-paid players have already departed.
Youth is currently a central focus, and there is a fresh desire to fully utilize the plentiful talent of Paris. Along with south London and Sao Paulo, the French capital is considered one of the top three regions for producing football players, which should have been advantageous in creating the club’s identity. Finally, they are starting to capitalize on this. In this season’s Champions League, PSG already has the fourth youngest team. Luis Enrique has been given the freedom to mold them into a modern tactical system.
Mbappe had been desiring this for a long time, although his team may argue, quite reasonably, that he was assured of it much earlier – which is why he extended his contract.
At present, the situation is that their aura is not as strong as it once was as they enter the final stages. A matchup against Real Sociedad presents a significant challenge.
Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe are set to take on Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
There is a clear double standard at play in this situation. PSG received valid criticism for their extravagant and self-centered approach, but having star players also gave the impression that they could perform well in important matches. They nearly achieved this in the 2019-20 season.
Currently, a new plan is being devised. This decreases the possibility of Mbappe achieving his goal of winning the Champions League in the near future. This is a project that will take time to fully develop, and Mbappe will need to regain momentum in order to be successful.
Another question is in what direction. Mbappe needs some long-awaited signature performances in the Champions League now, if as much for his own future.
A player who has excelled twice in the most important football match must remind others of his exceptional talent for generations to come.
Source: independent.co.uk
