Mbappe Shines, But Real Madrid's Attack Lacks Spark: Can Xabi Alonso's Midfield Revamp Save the Season?

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Kylian Mbappe has rediscovered his goal-scoring form this season, but Real Madrid's attack is still lacking a crucial element: sustained support. The French forward's impressive goal tally, now matching Cristiano Ronaldo's 2013 record of 59 in a calendar year, highlights his growing influence, but the team's overall performance has fallen short. Madrid are chasing Barcelona in La Liga and struggling in the Champions League. The contrast between Mbappe's situation and Ronaldo's arrival in 2009 is striking. Ronaldo walked into the Bernabeu as a marquee signing, backed by a team built around him, including Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and midfield maestros Mesut Ozil and Luka Modric. This structure enabled Ronaldo to deliver three straight Champions League titles. In contrast, Mbappe has not enjoyed the same level of support, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo experiencing dips in form, leaving him to shoulder the burden. Mbappe's current form is a testament to his talent and adaptability, but the team's midfield picture remains a concern. Xabi Alonso's tenure has seen Mbappe regain his spark, but the lack of control and imagination in midfield has hindered the team's overall performance. Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde are elite names, but the unit often looks blunt in possession. The absence of a true conductor, like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, has exposed a structural issue Madrid are yet to fully solve. To unlock Mbappe's full potential, Real Madrid must commit fully to building a team around him. This may require asking tough questions about Vinicius and Rodrygo's roles and potentially making bold recruitment decisions in the transfer windows. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Madrid can create a cohesive unit that allows Mbappe to shine and the team to chase glory again.