Kylian Mbappé is renowned for his blistering speed, technical prowess, and goal-scoring ability, making him one of the most feared forwards in world football. While his all-around offensive game is widely admired, there’s one surprising area where Mbappé’s record is not as stellar as many might expect: free kicks.
Free-Kick Struggles
Despite his overall goal-scoring brilliance, Mbappé’s record with direct free kicks has not been as prolific as other aspects of his game. Throughout his career, Mbappé has taken numerous free kicks for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and the French national team. However, he has not built a reputation as a reliable free-kick taker, especially compared to some of his peers like Lionel Messi, or Cristiano Ronaldo.
In fact, Mbappé has scored 0 goals directly from free kicks, Somewhat surprising stat given his outstanding technical ability in other areas. What’s even more surprising is that despite his poor performance in free kicks, Los Blancos decided that he’ll be the team’s primary free-kick taker following the retirement of Toni Kroos.
Why the Struggle?
One of the reasons for Mbappé’s underwhelming free-kick record could be the role he plays on the field. At both PSG and France, Mbappé is often not the first-choice free-kick taker, with more experienced set-piece specialists stepping up for these duties. This limited opportunity could be a factor in his lower success rate when it comes to free kicks.
Additionally, free kicks require a very specific set of skills, including precision, placement, and the ability to curve the ball over or around a defensive wall — elements that players hone over time. Mbappé, still in his early 20s, may develop this aspect of his game as he continues to mature.
Interestingly, Mbappé is not alone in this regard. His fellow superstar and scoring machine, Erling Haaland, also lacks a record of direct free-kick goals. Despite their immense goal-scoring talents, both Mbappé and Haaland have yet to establish themselves as set-piece specialists. This serves as a reminder that even the most prolific goal-scorers can have areas of their game that remain untapped.
Mbappé’s Strengths Elsewhere
While his free-kick record might be surprising, it’s important to remember that Mbappé excels in many other areas. His pace, dribbling, and finishing make him a constant threat in open play, and he is known for his ability to create and capitalize on chances in the penalty box. His agility and quick thinking are particularly dangerous in counter-attacking situations, where he often thrives.
Moreover, Mbappé is a team player, contributing assists and playing a key role in build-up play, rather than focusing solely on personal accolades like free-kick goals.
Kylian Mbappé's first goal for Real Madrid ⚽🎥#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/tkp33z0tnm
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 14, 2024
Conclusion
Kylian Mbappé’s free-kick record may come as a surprise to some, but it highlights that even the most complete players have areas for growth. As Mbappé continues to develop his game, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him add more direct free-kick goals to his growing list of achievements. For now, his strengths on the pitch far outweigh this minor statistic, cementing his status as one of the best players in world football.
This underlines an important aspect of his career — even superstars like Mbappé have room to improve, and with his drive and determination, it’s only a matter of time before he turns this surprising record around.
