Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso Faces Pressure as Mbappe Leads Call for Change

Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso under fire as Kylian Mbappe emerges as unifying force, urging teammates to 'show who we are' amid team's struggles.

“It's not just about goals for Kylian... but he does other hugely fundamental things like leadership...”

Real Madrid is counting on Kylian Mbappe's magic to turn their season around, especially with Manchester City visiting on Wednesday. Mbappe has been the team's standout player, scoring 25 goals in 21 games, and his leadership is crucial as Real Madrid struggles with internal conflicts and a string of poor results.

Xabi Alonso's project is under pressure, with some Spanish media suggesting a defeat against City could lead to his dismissal. The team has won just two of their last seven matches, and Mbappe's performance will be key to keeping Alonso's job secure. Mbappe is not only a prolific goal-scorer but also a unifying force for the team, and his absence due to injury would be a significant blow.

Real Madrid has been relying heavily on Kylian Mbappe's exceptional skills, with the French star scoring 25 goals in 21 games, leading the scoring charts in Spain and the Champions League. Mbappe's impressive performance has been a saving grace for the team, often rescuing them from underwhelming displays.

On the other hand, Manchester City is spearheaded by Erling Haaland, who has 20 goals in 20 games across all competitions. Haaland, along with Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, is Mbappe's main rival as the standout star of the current season. The upcoming match between Real Madrid and Manchester City promises to be an exciting clash between two of the best teams in the Champions League.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are set to face off again at the World Cup in the US next summer, with Mbappe's France taking on Haaland's Norway on June 26th in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The first chapter of that battle will be played out at the Bernabeu, where Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach, would love to add to Real Madrid's misery.

Kylian Mbappe has been Real Madrid's rock this season, consistently performing at a high level even as the team struggles. He thrived during their 13-win streak from 14 matches and has continued to shine in recent weeks.

Mbappe adjusted to life in Spain after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in summer 2024, finding his form in the second half of last season. In 2025, he's scored 55 goals for Real Madrid, just four shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 2013 record of 59 goals, a benchmark set by his childhood idol and the club's all-time top scorer.

“The team is a flat, uninspired group clustered around Mbappe, whose goals merely mask the crisis,” wrote Spanish newspaper AS on Sunday after a 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo.

“If he takes a day off, there's no alternative.”

Mbappe: The Unifying Force at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe has emerged as a unifying force at Real Madrid, even as the team struggles with internal issues. Mbappe's exceptional talent and consistency have made him the team's central figure.

Alonso's Tactical Experiment

Xabi Alonso arrived with a plan to impose a new style, different from his predecessors Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, focusing on tactics and technical skills. With Mbappe as his key player, Alonso has been rotating players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Dani Carvajal, trying to find the right balance.

👔 @XabiAlonso: “On Wednesday, we have a Champions League match to remove this bad taste from our mouths.”
🎙️ Press conference ➡️ RM Play

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 7, 2025

Jude Bellingham's return from injury and Fede Valverde's reluctance to play out of position at right-back have added to Xabi Alonso's selection headaches. A tough schedule, including several away matches, has contributed to Real Madrid's recent slump, with Alonso's pressing ideas losing steam and star players starting every match.

After a 1-1 draw at Girona, Kylian Mbappe urged his teammates to “show who we are” and “change this dynamic,” highlighting the need for improvement. Mbappe's words reflect the growing frustration within the team, as they struggle to find consistency.

“It's not just about goals for Kylian... but he does other hugely fundamental things like leadership, influence, helping his teammates, and that's so important day to day,” said Alonso, appreciating the calls for unity from Mbappe.

The days leading up to the defeat by Celta Vigo may have contributed to Real Madrid's loss. The match could have ended in a draw if Mbappe's lob had fallen just a bit differently, with the Galicians leading by a single goal. It was a close call, and Mbappe's brilliance often papers over the team's cracks.

Against Manchester City and Erling Haaland, Alonso would settle for Mbappe's magic, even if it's just him carrying the team. The match is a big test, and Mbappe's performance could be crucial in determining the outcome.