Kylian Mbappé’s Penalty Woes: Is He Trying to Imitate Neymar?

Kylian Mbappé’s high-profile move to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer has come with its fair share of challenges.

While the French forward has scored 10 goals in all competitions, he’s yet to fully live up to the lofty expectations that come with joining the ranks of the ‘Galácticos’.

One area where the 25-year-old has faced significant difficulties is from the penalty spot, with two high-profile misses raising doubts about his technique.

Mbappé’s struggles with penalties have garnered criticism from pundits and fans alike, some of whom have pointed to his attempts to emulate former PSG teammate Neymar.

The Brazilian’s renowned flair and style when taking penalties has been widely admired, but critics argue that Mbappé lacks the finesse to replicate Neymar’s approach, especially from 12 yards.

The French striker missed two crucial spot-kicks in quick succession—one in a Champions League match against Liverpool and another in a La Liga encounter against Athletic Club.

These failures have sparked calls for Mbappé to hand over penalty duties, with teammate Jude Bellingham emerging as a more reliable option from the spot in recent weeks.

RMC Sport pundit Kevin Diaz weighed in on Mbappé’s penalty woes, suggesting that his attempts to emulate Neymar’s style might be part of the issue.

“He pretends to watch the goalkeeper, but when it comes to the actual kick, he doesn’t look at the keeper at all,” Diaz explained.

“Perhaps he’s trying to copy Neymar, especially given the controversies surrounding penalties during his time at PSG.”

Despite the criticism, Mbappé remains determined to find his rhythm at Real Madrid.

Although he has managed to score goals for the club, the pressure is mounting as he strives to meet the expectations of one of the world’s most demanding football fan bases.