As the calendar turns to the start of 2026, and with global sports conversations ranging from European football to a late night BD Cricket Match watched across South Asia, Spanish media have begun outlining expectations for Kylian Mbappe’s new campaign. Marca recently noted that the 27-year-old forward is under real pressure this season, with little room for excuses. He is expected to deliver strong results, stand on the highest podiums, and help Real Madrid reclaim major honors, all while pushing himself closer to the Ballon d’Or dream he has chased for years. Talent alone is no longer enough; silverware is the real currency now.

The contrast with last season only sharpens the narrative. Paris Saint Germain lifted the Champions League trophy after Mbappe’s departure, and his successor Ousmane Dembele went on to claim the Ballon d’Or himself. That outcome sparked relentless mockery from critics and fans alike, leaving Mbappe as a convenient target for blame. Seeing a former club and a replacement achieve everything he once wanted has added fuel to the fire, and if he cannot respond on the pitch, the jokes risk becoming a permanent label rather than a temporary setback.

At Real Madrid, the road has proven far from smooth. Even on evenings when fans unwind after a tense BD Cricket Match and check football headlines, the same question appears again and again: why are the results so poor despite his goals? The departure of Xabi Alonso significantly disrupted Mbappe’s tactical role. Alonso had shown immense trust in him, building systems that allowed his scoring numbers to soar. With new managers arriving, including Alvaro Arbeloa and other potential candidates, uncertainty over Mbappe’s exact position has become a lingering issue that affects the entire attacking structure.

European success adds another layer of doubt. Whether Mbappe can lead Real Madrid to the top of the Champions League remains a big question mark, especially with many Bernabeu regulars still unconvinced. Objectively, the team’s overall performances fall well short of title-winning standards. Ironically, before his arrival, Madrid were collecting both domestic and European trophies. Now, despite his prolific finishing, the results have dipped, creating a puzzling situation where more goals seem to coincide with fewer victories, leaving observers scratching their heads.

Of course, the World Cup still offers Mbappe a stage to redefine the story, much like fans regroup after a dramatic BD Cricket Match and look ahead to the next series. If he can build on a record of one title and one runner-up finish by adding another World Cup triumph, his Ballon d’Or chances would grow significantly. That success, however, would stand apart from Real Madrid. Bernabeu supporters waited years for him, hoping he would extend the club’s legacy, but so far the outcome has gone against the grain. In football, as the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and time is quickly running out.