Football

Report: Relationship Between Real Madrid Duo Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe Is Not As Good As Portrayed

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By
Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published10 Mar 2025

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Cadena SER journalist Anton Mena has claimed that the relationship between Real Madrid frontmen Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe is not as good as they portray. 

Real Madrid signed Mbappe on a free in July, just after he ran down his contract with his former employers Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Frenchman inherited the No. 9 from his predecessor Karim Benzema and started operating down the middle, as Vincius Jr. had already claimed his preferred spot on the left flank.

Mbappe had a tumultuous start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He ittedly hit his lowest point in December, after missing penalty kicks in consecutive games. His first came against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League and the second versus Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Mbappe has turned a corner in 2025, with him emerging as one of the best most clinical players in Europe, scoring 15 goals since January. The 26-year-old scored his latest goal against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday, 9 March. Vinicius Jr. also got on the scoresheet to help Los Blancos to a 2-1 victory.

Real Madrid: Anton Mena Vinicius-Kylian Mbappe Relationship Is Not As Portrayed

By the looks of it, Vincius Jr. and Mbappe have learned to thrive at Real Madrid, with them often getting on the scoresheet together. However, according to Cadena SER’s Mena, the two men do not share the best of relationships.

He believes the two Real Madrid forwards are selling a relationship that does not exist. He also claimed that playing them together was hurting Los Blancos, as they do not try to find one another.

This is not the first time their relationship has come under scrutiny. Last week, former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello claimed the explosive players were not suited to work together.

Capello told Flashscore:

“Mbappe and Vinicius Jr play in the same position, they are stepping on each other and not performing well. 

“As individuals, they can do what others can’t in tight spaces, and do things nobody else thinks about, but that’s not the harmony of the team game.”

Mbappe and Vincius Jr. have played 34 matches together so far, combining for five goals.