Just a year ago, or even the one before, for that matter, Kylian Mbappe wasn’t exactly the most popular figure among Real Madrid fans.
His on-again, off-again transfer saga from Paris Saint-Germain to Santiago Bernabeu left many supporters feeling frustrated and sceptical about his potential arrival.
With multiple moves to Madrid falling through, some fans openly opposed the idea of him ever wearing the famous white shirt.
Mbappe surprised by treatment from Real Madrid fans
Aware of this tension, Mbappe knew that winning over the Madrid faithful wouldn’t be an easy task.
Yet, to his surprise, the Frenchman has found a warm reception from the fans and the city itself, far exceeding his expectations, reports MARCA.
In his first month in Madrid, Mbappe assumed he’d need to prove himself to earn the respect of the fans. Instead, he has experienced unwavering support from the moment he joined the club.
Two ‘liberating goals’
Mbappe’s most recent game for Real Madrid saw him score two important goals as he helped Los Blancos secure a 2-0 victory over Real Betis.
The two goals lifted a weight off his shoulders after going scoreless in his opening three La Liga games.
The goals provided much-needed reassurance to fans and critics alike, with Mbappe himself acknowledging, “For others, it might not be a big deal, but for me, three games without scoring felt like a lot.”
In the meantime, Mbappe has also received unwavering support from the club and its support staff, with Carlo Ancelotti, in particular, praising the Frenchman for his professionalism and dedication.
Mbappe will be looking to capitalise on his recent performance against Betis and build a goalscoring sequence when Real Madrid resume their campaign after the international break.