Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona as Mbappe leads Mourinho title push
Real Madrid are already six points behind Barcelona after seven La Liga matches, with two defeats leaving Jose Mourinho’s side under early pressure in the 2026-27 title race.
Key takeaways
- Real have surrendered six points and trail unbeaten leaders Barcelona by six.
- Kylian Mbappe scored 42 times for Madrid last season and claimed another La Liga top-scorer award.
- The France captain has reached 66 international goals and has scored 22 at World Cup finals.
- Frank Leboeuf believes Mbappe must put team trophies ahead of public Ballon d’Or ambitions.
- Mbappe could need a Champions League win with Madrid to strengthen his case for football’s biggest individual prize.
Mbappe told to shift focus towards trophies
Mbappe’s individual numbers remain extraordinary. The 27-year-old added 42 goals for Madrid last term, while his World Cup exploits took him beyond every other France player on the national scoring list. His 22 goals at the tournament are also the highest total in World Cup history.
Yet the major honours have not followed at the same rate, and Mbappe is expected to face another difficult Ballon d’Or race, with Harry Kane, Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the leading contenders.
Former France defender Leboeuf said there is no argument that Raphinha is a superior No. 9 to Mbappe, pointing out that the Barcelona forward is only recently operating centrally while Mbappe has delivered consistently in that role for close to a decade.
However, Leboeuf questioned the perception created by Mbappe’s comments about the Ballon d’Or. He argued that Raphinha’s work appears geared towards Barcelona’s collective success, while Mbappe can give the impression that personal recognition is his priority.
Leboeuf said Madrid’s striker should publicly target La Liga and Champions League success rather than discuss the Ballon d’Or, particularly while his club are struggling for results. He added that he likes Mbappe but feels some of the forward’s media remarks damage his public image and reinforce criticism that he is self-centred.
Mourinho faces difficult Madrid rebuild
A Champions League triumph may be essential if Mbappe is to finally win the Ballon d’Or. Paris Saint-Germain, his former club, have won the European title in successive seasons while Madrid seek a 16th European Cup.
That pursuit has become more uncertain following an unconvincing opening under Mourinho, who has returned to the Bernabeu. Leboeuf said it is still too soon to rule Madrid out, noting that PSG have started slowly in recent seasons before finding their level around December.
He also backed Mourinho’s anger after the weekend derby, arguing Atletico Madrid should not have finished with 11 men. Leboeuf accepted the Madrid dismissal but felt Atletico committed two challenges worthy of red cards, and said video officials in England, France and Spain must improve their work.
Leboeuf believes Mourinho needs time to impose his approach, but doubts whether the Portuguese can recreate the mentality he installed during his previous spell in charge in 2013. He said the current squad’s egos and individualistic tendencies could make the task especially difficult, even for a manager with Mourinho’s force of personality.
Barcelona, by contrast, were praised for a long-standing culture built around collective football, stretching from Johan Cruyff through Pep Guardiola and Ronald Koeman to current coach Hansi Flick. Leboeuf said Barca’s attacking output often compensates for any defensive shortcomings.
Mourinho’s Madrid will instead have to find results through a tougher, more aggressive identity. Mbappe, alongside Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, will be central to that recovery as Real attempt to cut Barcelona’s early lead and restore their European challenge.
