Kylian Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid has revolutionized the world of football and, above all, the dressing room at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Since his arrival in the Spanish capital, the French star has made no secret of his intentions: he wants to be the top scorer of the season, both in La Liga and in Europe.
The Italian coach, known for his soft but firm hand in managing stars, knows that he will have to deal with a dressing room full of egos and aspirations. Among those egos, the ego of Vinicius Junior, the other big star in Madrid’s attack, also stands out.
In their first major appearance together, the European Super Cup against Atalanta, the Mbappé-Vinicius partnership showed glimpses of what could be a magical season for Real Madrid as the two players showed excellent chemistry, with coordinated movements and decisive passes that overwhelmed the Italian defense. However, behind the facade of harmony on the pitch, there is a latent rivalry that could become a challenge for Ancelotti throughout the season.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Mbappé was clear in his request to Ancelotti: he wants to be the team’s official penalty taker. This decision is not just a matter of statistics, but also of hierarchy and fame within the team, as taking charge of penalties not only increases the chances of winning the Pichichi award, but is also a statement of power within the dressing room and Vinicius, who has been one of Real Madrid’s most important attacking references in recent seasons, has been warned of his new teammate’s ambitions.
The relationship between Mbappé and Vinicius will be one of the main points of interest during the season. Both are young and talented and have incredible potential, but they are also aware that the world of football is competitive and sometimes cruel and Ancelotti, who has managed star-studded teams in the past, will have to find the perfect balance if the rivalry between Mbappé and Vinicius is to be constructive and beneficial to the team.
Despite the apparent camaraderie in the Super Cup, we should not forget that egos can clash. Football is full of examples of how internal competition can either enhance or destabilise a team. In this case, Ancelotti’s challenge will be to keep Mbappé and Vinicius on the same page, and ensure that both understand that collective success trumps individual ambitions.