Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night following a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich, leaving Kylian Mbappé without a European title after two years in Spain. The result seals a disastrous run of form for the Madrid side, which has struggled to discover consistency since the French forward returned to the starting lineup.
Real Madrid’s win rate plummeted after Mbappé returned to the starting XI
The numbers suggest a systemic collapse. Before Mbappé returned as a starter, Madrid secured six wins in seven matches, including dominant victories over Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. Since his reintegration, the club hasn’t won a single game.
The slide includes 2-1 losses to Mallorca and Bayern Munich, alongside a 1-1 draw with Girona. This slump has effectively ended their pursuit of the La Liga title, as they now trail Barcelona by nine points.
Mbappé describes modern football as an era of overconsumption
In a wide-ranging interview with GQ Spain, Mbappé admitted he’s been less effective in front of goal recently. He attributed this dip to the “frenzied pace” of the modern game, claiming players are victims of an “era of overconsumption” that directly impairs performance.
He told the magazine that athletes can’t always deliver the expected spectacle. Despite the on-pitch struggle, Mbappé called playing for Real Madrid a “gift from heaven” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in what he considers the world’s best club.
For more on this story, see UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals: Manager Breakdown.
A growing list of Champions League disappointments
Mbappé scored in the match against Bayern, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the exit. At 27, he joins a specific group of high-profile players who have dominated the competition’s statistics without ever lifting the trophy.
Data from Statsdufoot places him with 98 appearances, trailing only legends like Gianluigi Buffon and Zlatan Ibrahimović (124 matches), as well as Antoine Griezmann (118) and Koke (116). For a player of his stature, the lack of a “big ears” trophy is becoming a defining void in his resume.
The club faces its first trophy-less season in five years
Madrid is staring down a “blank season.” With the Champions League dream evaporated and the league title out of reach, the club is at risk of finishing the year without a single piece of silverware for the first time since 2021.
This failure is particularly jarring given the expectations surrounding Mbappé’s arrival. While he remains “happy” in Madrid, the gap between his personal satisfaction and the team’s results is widening.
Why has Mbappé’s return coincided with a dip in results?
While the sources don’t provide a tactical reason, the data shows Madrid went from a high win rate (6 wins in 7 games) to zero wins in four matches once Mbappé returned to the starting lineup.
Which players have more Champions League appearances than Mbappé without winning it?
Buffon and Ibrahimović lead with 124 matches, followed by Griezmann (118), Koke (116), Jan Oblak (104), Cesc Fàbregas (104), Fernandinho (103), and Nicolas Otamendi (102).
Why has Mbappé’s return coincided with a dip in results?
While the sources don’t provide a tactical reason, the data shows Madrid went from a high win rate (6 wins in 7 games) to zero wins in four matches once Mbappé returned to the starting lineup.
Which players have more Champions League appearances than Mbappé without winning it?
Buffon and Ibrahimović lead with 124 matches, followed by Griezmann (118), Koke (116), Jan Oblak (104), Cesc Fàbregas (104), Fernandinho (103), and Nicolas Otamendi (102).