Kylian Mbappe ends 2024 like 2020: under 50 goals

The end of a calendar year is always a good time to review the past and draw conclusions to look to the future with perspective. Examining Kylian Mbappe's 2024 will perhaps reveal certain aspects he may not be too proud of. Particularly in terms of goals, it has not been his dream baggage. The Frenchman's 2024 is similar to how he ended his 2020 - with less than 50 goals. Having scored 51 times in 2021, then 56 in 2022 and finally 52 in 2023, Mbappe's 39 goals in 2024 appear to be quite the decay for a forward of his scoring instincts.
The sporting calendar that closed against Sevilla on Sunday is arguably the most pivotal of his career. Only 2018, the year of his first World Cup reaches its level. The 25-year-old's departure from PSG and subsequent signing for Real Madrid - the club he had been linked with for years - was the turning point of his career, a dream come true, as he said when the transfer was first announced. After 61 official matches, Mbappe ended his year exactly how he started it: by finding the back of the net and crossing his arms to celebrate. Toulouse were the first victim when he played them in the final of the French Super Cup on January 3.
Among the remaining 38 goals, 14 came with the 'Merengues' shirt. Atalanta (UEFA Super Cup and Champions League), Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Stuttgart, Espanyol, Deportivo Alaves, Celta, Leganes, Getafe, Girona, Pachuca and Sevilla make up the list of his victims since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu. But the expectations were higher, too high even for the player destined to mark a whole new football generation, thus marking 2024 as the year he hit rock bottom.

Mbappe said so himself in his latest game."I can do a lot more. I know that I have a lot more in my legs. In the last few games, I've played better. The game in Bilbao was good for me. I hit rock bottom; I missed a penalty. It was the moment to realise that I have to give my all for this shirt and play with more personality".
Starting from the beginning of his career, Mbappe failed to make his mark in the 4 matches he played in 2015. But that changed when he scored 7 goals from 25 appearances the following year. The tally significantly increased in 2017 as he hit 33 in 62, In 2018, the year he rose onto the international stage to win the World Cup, he registered 34 in 60. 2019 saw him bag 44 goals in 49 games before the pandemic in 2020 blew it all away. He only scored 29 times from 41 matches. In 2021 he returned above the 50 mark with 51 goals from 67. 2022 was the best goal-scoring year of his life. 56 in 56, which he practically repeated the year after registering 52 in 53.
From 52 to 39. That is the tally for 2024, a year full of ups and downs. His dream to join 'Los Blancos' came true, but it took him a while to get into gear and reach full speed. Carlo Ancelotti said the forward's period of adaptation is officially over and his teammates assured fans that his best version is yet to come. Midfielders Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham have been particularly vocal in their support for the France international.

"Mistakes and bad performances are part of the game, but the important thing is always to show your face and move forward", said the Uruguayan, whereas the English star spoke up after the former PSG player's missed penalty in the defeat to Liverpool. "It can happen. He's a wonderful player but the pressure that he holds because of how good he is is huge. Kylian can keep his head high, I know for sure that he will produce many more moments that are huge for this club".
Although it was perhaps too late, Mbappe's sweet ending of the year 2024 - a wonderful strike from outside the box that sealed the win against Sevilla - could suggest that he will be ready from the get-go in 2025. The forward made it clear that his wish would be to make the most of this coming year in every sense, promising that “no one at Real Madrid will ever regret my signing”. It remains to be seen whether the man from Bondy will be successful in his "mission".