Kylian Mbappe (foto: Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe leads La Liga in offsides with 21 calls this season, struggling to adapt to Spanish defenses in his first year with Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe’s incredible speed and attacking instincts have made him one of the most feared forwards in world football. However, in his first season in La Liga, his propensity to get caught offside has become a glaring issue.
The Real Madrid forward has been flagged for offside 21 times so far this season in La Liga, putting him at the top of the league in this less-than-flattering statistic. The problem was evident again during Real Madrid’s recent defeat against Athletic Bilbao, where Mbappe had a goal disallowed due to being offside.
A record-breaking offside tally
Mbappe’s struggles with staying onside were most evident during El Clasico, where he was caught offside eight times, setting an unusual record for a single match. His frequent mistiming of runs into the opposition's defensive line has become a point of frustration for Real Madrid fans and analysts alike.
For comparison, during his final season with Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe was caught offside 20 times across 29 Ligue 1 matches. This means he has already surpassed that total in fewer games in Spain, further underscoring the adjustment challenges he’s facing in his new league.
A tactical challenge
While Mbappe’s blistering pace is one of his greatest assets, it also contributes to his offside issues. His desire to break behind defensive lines often sees him mistime his runs or fail to anticipate when the pass will come.
La Liga’s defenders are also tactically adept at deploying offside traps, something that has caught out Mbappe repeatedly this season. For a player of his caliber, adjusting to the Spanish defensive style will be crucial as he seeks to become as decisive in La Liga as he was in Ligue 1.
While Mbappe remains a prolific threat in front of goal, cutting down on these offside calls will be key for him to fully unlock his potential in Carlo Ancelotti’s system.