Kylian Mbappe takes blame after penalty miss in Real Madrid’s loss to Athletic: "I take full responsibility"

When Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid from PSG, the Spanish giants hoped he would become the decisive player to turn games in their favor. While the French superstar has shown flashes of brilliance and delivered a decent goal tally, moments like last night’s clash at San Mamés have raised questions about his consistency in key moments.

In a tightly contested match against Athletic Bilbao, Mbappe missed a crucial penalty that could have altered the course of the game. Instead, Real Madrid suffered a 2–1 defeat, with Mbappe emerging as the game’s tragic figure.

While stepping up to take the penalty, Mbappe opted for a patient approach, waiting for goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala to make the first move. However, the Athletic shot-stopper didn’t bite, waiting for Mbappe instead and saving the attempt.

Rather than shy away from the criticism, Mbappe addressed the situation head-on, posting a message on Instagram where he accepted full accountability for his miss:

"Tough result. A big mistake in a match where every detail matters. I take full responsibility. This is a difficult moment, but it’s also the best time to change things and show who I am."