
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe said Tuesday a shift in mentality helped him improve his 鈥榮ituation鈥� in the Spanish capital after struggling initially following his dream move from Paris Saint-Germain.
The French superstar played inconsistently in his first months at Madrid after joining last summer, but in recent weeks has returned to his devastating peak.
鈥榊ou always have to be calm and focus on your game and what you can improve,鈥� Mbappe told a news conference ahead of Madrid鈥檚 Champions League clash with RB Salzburg on Wednesday.
鈥業 knew that I could change the situation, and now the situation has changed.鈥�
Mbappe missed penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao towards the end of 2024 and admitted at the time he had 鈥榟it the bottom鈥�.
The 26-year-old pledged to show his personality and overcome his shaky start, and now has scored eight goals in his last 10 games across all competitions.
鈥業t was more of a mental thing... I knew I was good physically, good with the team, the group, but I had to do more and I knew it,鈥� continued Mbappe.
鈥業t was the moment to say that now I had to change everything, change the situation, because I didn鈥檛 come to Madrid to play badly.
鈥楴ow it鈥檚 all changed, and I have to continue, because playing well for a month is good, but it鈥檚 easy.鈥�
During his spell of poor form and while struggling with a thigh problem, Mbappe was left out several France squads for Nations League games in the final months of last year.
However the striker said he was looking forward to returning to action with his country.
鈥楾here鈥檚 no issue with the national team... I can understand the criticism (in France),鈥� said Mbappe, who won the World Cup with France in 2018.
鈥業鈥檓 excited to return in March and try to reach the Nations League semi-finals. 鈥楳y love for the national team has not changed.鈥�