Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid from PSG in 2024. Since joining, Mbappé has appeared in 44 matches for the club, putting up significant goal contributions as part of a star-studded front line.

Criticism regarding Mbappé’s positioning and work rate surfaced during 2026, feeding a broader conversation about whether Madrid’s system was truly built to extract his best performances. Those critiques have filtered into the club’s internal discussions about team structure.

Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility has allowed for various formations, primarily featuring Mbappé in positions that optimize interactions with teammates. Vinícius Jr. on the left, Mbappé in a central or inside-forward role, and Bellingham operating in the half-spaces behind them creates a system where multiple players can be the primary threat on any given night.

The 2026 World Cup has also been a backdrop to these discussions. Mbappé’s participation in the tournament generated renewed scrutiny of how he is being used at club level, with analysts studying his movement patterns, preferred channels, and how he responds to different pressing structures from opponents.

No new tactical adjustments geared specifically towards enhancing Mbappé’s role have been reported in the last 30 days, and no definitive tactical overhaul has emerged. The discourse surrounding Mbappé’s deployment underscores his importance to Real Madrid’s attacking structure, but the lack of clear recent changes raises questions about how best to leverage his unique skills moving forward.