Maldini's Response on Whether Mbappé Plays Better Without Vini: 'Madrid Needs...'

The campaign Kylian Mbappé is carrying out with Real Madrid is simply spectacular. After an irregular start, the Frenchman is managing to demonstrate the level that has always characterized him. His latest performance against Villarreal, in addition to the brace he scored, raised the question of whether the Frenchman performs better without Vinícius Júnior.

"Madrid needs Vinícius, and it needs him to recover the best Vinícius," were his words. Recognizing Mbappé's great performance, Maldini made it clear that Vinícius must always be a starter. Given everything the Brazilian has contributed to the team over the years, Maldini doesn't consider it right for the club not to play Vinícius and Mbappé together.

"The best players must always be together," concluded Maldini to make his point. Despite Mbappé's display, Real Madrid must find a way to make their offensive trio work optimally.

Maldini's Opinion

Accumulating 31 goals and 4 assists, Mbappé is sweeping all opponents this season. Reconnecting with his best version, the Frenchman has carried the team's offensive weight during Vinícius's rough patch. Although the Brazilian still possesses immense talent, 2025 has seen a slight drop in his performance.

Even so, Maldini has made it clear that to recover the best Vinícius, Real Madrid must keep him as a starter. The best way to ensure good performance from a player like Vinícius is by providing consistent playing time.

While his absence may have been due to a lack of rest, Real Madrid can't afford to do without his services. With 19 goals and 12 assists, the Brazilian's presence is essential for the effective functioning of the Merengue attack.

The Answer to the Doubt

After this information and Maldini's statements, it is clear that it is not fair to say that Mbappé performs better without Vinícius. Both players have shown that they complement each other well, so it is a mistake to keep them on their own.