Real Madrid News
Mbappe has realised what he needs from Real Madrid to win the Ballon d’Or
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick against Real Sociedad was the obvious headline, but there may be a more revealing story behind Real Madrid’s strong start to the season.
According to AS, the Frenchman and his teammates have bought into an idea Jose Mourinho has been trying to establish since taking charge: individual success means little without the team moving in the same direction.
Mbappe has never needed reminding of his responsibility in front of goal.
His three goals in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad were another demonstration of that instinct, but the atmosphere around the squad is also beginning to attract attention.
According to the outlet, old disagreements appear to have been left behind, while the harmony seen during Madrid’s first two competitive matches has given Mourinho an encouraging platform to build on.
Mourinho’s message is starting to resonate
Mourinho has made unity a central part of his work with the squad, and the early response appears positive.
Real Madrid have no shortage of individual talent, but the Portuguese coach knows that will only take the team so far.
A season filled with major competitions requires players to work for one another, particularly when the pressure begins to increase, and Mbappe appears to have understood that point.
For much of his career, the French forward has been judged primarily by the numbers he produces.
Goals will always remain the central measure of a striker, but the game’s biggest individual honours are rarely separated from the achievements of the teams around them.
Simply put, Mbappe’s goals can help Real Madrid win, and Real Madrid winning can, in turn, strengthen his case.
A hat-trick at the right time
Mbappe’s performance against Real Sociedad could hardly have come at a better moment.
The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 27, with France Football expected to reveal its 30-man shortlist in the coming days.
There is no universally accepted formula behind the award, and the debate around this year’s candidates remains open.
The World Cup could influence the vote, with Spain’s leading players likely to feature prominently after their success.
Paris Saint-Germain’s continued Champions League achievements have also strengthened the credentials of several players.
Mbappe, though, is making sure his own name remains part of the conversation.
Mbappe and Madrid need each other
The Ballon d’Or may be an individual award, but Mbappe’s strongest argument will be built on what happens around him as much as what he does alone.
That is why Real Madrid’s early sense of togetherness matters.
The season has only just begun, and two matches cannot erase every question surrounding the squad.
But Mourinho appears to have found a group willing to embrace his message, while Mbappe has started the campaign at full speed.
Real Madrid have found an unexpected early hero in Carlos Espi and, according to a major revelation, the young striker could have been wearing Barcelona colours instead.
Journalist Sique Rodriguez, as relayed by SPORT, has revealed that Espi was offered to Barcelona before making his move to Real Madrid.
The Blaugrana reportedly considered him a good player but ultimately decided that activating his €25 million release clause represented too great a financial risk.
“Carlos Espí was offered to Barça, who consider him a good player.
“They rejected it, among other reasons, because they were not willing to pay €25 million for someone who was not going to be a starter,” explained Sique Rodriguez.
At Barcelona, Espi would not have arrived as an automatic starter, making such a sizeable investment difficult to justify.
Real Madrid, though, have begun to see a return from a player who arrived with considerably less fanfare than many of their other summer additions.
Barcelona chose Hamza over €25 million gamble
Instead of spending heavily on Espi, Barcelona placed their faith in Hamza Abdelkarim, who is viewed as a younger and more affordable alternative for the centre-forward role.
“The bet is Hamza Abdelkarim. He has cost €1.5 million; he is very young and they consider that he can play the role of plan B as a striker.
“A bet of €1.5 million can be made; one of €25 million is riskier,” Rodríguez added.
Simply put, it was a decision based on financial risk and squad planning rather than a rejection of Espi’s talent.
Espi is already making an impact under Mourinho
At Real Madrid, Espi initially appeared to be one of the quieter additions of the summer.
Signed to replace Gonzalo García following his move to Fulham, the striker was expected to provide depth rather than challenge for a regular starting place.
Notably, Espi announced himself by scoring the late winner against Espanyol, securing a 2-1 victory and giving Real Madrid their first win of the 2026/27 season.
At the same time, the youngster has also built a strong relationship with Jose Mourinho, who has spoken warmly about his new striker.
Sure, Espi is certainly not expected to become an automatic starter, but he has already shown that he can influence important matches, and Real Madrid have been fortunate enough not to see him move to Camp Nou instead.
