Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations have been filled with excitement, optimism, and anticipation, but one unexpected development has caught supporters off guard — the noticeably leaner appearance of Kylian Mbappé.
The French superstar, who joined Los Blancos this summer after years of speculation, has sparked a wave of concern among fans following recent images from training and friendly matches.
The photos, taken during a pre-season encounter with Leganés, show Mbappé looking slimmer than he did during his final campaign at Paris Saint-Germain. While physical transformations are not unusual during the off-season, this particular change has fueled speculation that he may still be recovering from the food poisoning episode that struck him earlier in the summer.
Social media quickly lit up with reactions from the Madridista faithful. One fan’s worried remark — “He looks too skinny, is he okay?” — encapsulated the general tone of the discussions. Others echoed similar sentiments, with some pointing out that his reduced frame could impact his trademark explosiveness, dribbling power, and shooting strength, all of which have defined his game at the highest level.
A more critical voice expressed, “Man, this dude really lost weight, he needs to get back in shape.” Concerns were not just about aesthetics but also about how this change might affect his ability to handle the physical battles in La Liga and the Champions League. After all, Mbappé’s game thrives on his ability to combine raw pace with strength — a combination that has made him nearly unstoppable in one-on-one situations.
However, not all reactions were negative. Some fans believe the weight loss could be a deliberate move to increase his agility and endurance under Real Madrid’s demanding tactical setup. One supporter argued, “It’s good, he looks fine to me, and probably will be more flexible and faster this season. Kylian is a beast no matter how he looks.” This optimistic outlook suggests that Madridistas are split — some worried, others seeing potential benefits.
It’s worth noting that pre-season often involves players experimenting with different conditioning approaches. For Mbappé, this could mean fine-tuning his body for a system where he might play a more versatile role — drifting wide, making deep runs, and linking up more closely with Vinícius Júnior, rather than relying solely on bursts of physical dominance.
Still, the timing of this physical change fuels the narrative. His move to Madrid comes with massive expectations, both from fans and the club’s hierarchy. After the departures of legends like Karim Benzema and Luka Modrić in recent seasons, Mbappé has been positioned as the face of Real Madrid’s next era of dominance. Any hint of physical frailty, therefore, naturally attracts amplified scrutiny.
There’s also the psychological dimension. Adapting to life in Madrid, the weight of the famous white shirt, and the sheer intensity of Spanish media coverage can take a toll on a newcomer. For someone of Mbappé’s stature, these factors blend with the pressures of performing from the very first match — pressures that could influence not just mental sharpness but physical readiness too.
Nevertheless, Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff have expressed no public concern, with insiders hinting that Mbappé’s conditioning plan is progressing exactly as intended. Training sessions have reportedly shown him as sharp and fast as ever, with the player himself unfazed by the chatter surrounding his appearance.
For now, all eyes will be on Real Madrid’s opening fixtures to see if Mbappé’s slimmer frame impacts his game or if, as some believe, it will unleash an even deadlier version of the French maestro. One thing is certain — in Madrid, the smallest change in a superstar’s condition becomes a story, and with Mbappé, every detail
