Cristiano Ronaldo doubts Kylian Mbappe's impact at Real Madrid

In the summer, Kylian Mbappe transferred from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid amidst high expectations. The move marked a significant shift for the player who had established himself in the dominant PSG environment. However, former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo voiced skepticism regarding Mbappe's ability to enhance the team's performance. He mentioned on the 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' podcast that despite the acquisition of Mbappe, Real Madrid might not surpass their achievements from the previous season. Ronaldo highlighted the importance of handling pressure in Madrid, which differs substantially from the environment at PSG. Since his arrival at the Bernabeu, Mbappe has faced challenges, including a missed penalty against Athletic Bilbao and another failure at Liverpool, which raised concerns about his adaptation to the new team's demands. At the point of this analysis, Real Madrid had lost three out of five matches in the Champions League and struggled to keep up with Barcelona in La Liga while experiencing a dip in overall performance compared to the prior year. Mbappe managed to score ten goals over 20 matches, suggesting a decent output, but it has not been enough to quell concerns about his fit within a star-studded squad that includes Vinicius Jnr and Jude Bellingham. The competition for positions has forced Mbappe to alter his natural play style, impacting his contributions to the team. Coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the pressure faced by Mbappe and called for patience as he adjusts. Moreover, the doubts raised by Ronaldo tap into a broader narrative surrounding player transitions from one prominent club to another, particularly when it contrasts sharply with the player's previous environment. The outcome of Mbappe's tenure at Real Madrid will likely influence future discussions about player movements in top-tier football and their subsequent impacts on team dynamics.