Two players compete for the ball in a match, one dressed in white and the other in black, in a stadium full of spectators.
Mbappé Against Saliba at Bernabéu | Camara Real Madrid CF
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Mbappé's Painful Stat in the Champions League, Dramatic for Real Madrid

Kylian's last goal in a semifinal/final was with Monaco in 2017 despite having played three semifinals and one final

by

Alex Moreno

Real Madrid has been eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Arsenal. The aggregate score was decisive: 5-1 for the English. But beyond the scoreline, there is a particularly painful fact.

Kylian Mbappé, one of Real Madrid's major signings, hasn't scored in either the first or second leg. His performance has fallen well below what was desired.

The most concerning aspect is his recent track record in these crucial rounds.

Mbappé Hasn't Scored in Semi-Finals or Finals Since 2017

Mbappé's last goal in a Champions League semi-final or final was with Monaco. Yes, in 2017. Seven years have passed since then.

Since he joined PSG in the summer of that same year, he has played in three semi-finals and one final. In all of them: zero goals.

This fact is simply devastating. If someone had said it in 2017, few would have believed it.
Mbappé was the great promise of world soccer. But at the club level, in the Champions League, he has fallen short in the most important moments.

Two players compete for the ball in a match, one in a white uniform and the other in a black uniform.
Mbappé Against Saliba | Real Madrid CF

In the tie against Arsenal, Mbappé barely appeared. In the first leg, he didn't create any danger. In the second leg, it was more of the same. Raya didn't have to make any decisive interventions.

Vinicius didn't shine either, but Mbappé's shadow is longer due to his status as a star signing.

Real Madrid relied on him to make a difference in Europe. But in this edition, his contribution has faded when it was most needed.

Shines with France, but Not in the Champions League

At the national team level, the story is very different.
Mbappé has scored four goals in World Cup finals. His performance with France is spectacular.

Soccer players celebrate with the World Cup trophy in the rain.
Mbappé World Champion with France | New York Times

But the Champions League, Real Madrid's great obsession, continues to elude him. And the facts don't lie: when the semi-finals or finals arrive, Mbappé disappears.

Now, at 26 years old, the margin is narrowing.
The club hopes his performance will change in the future.
But for now, the reality is clear: Mbappé hasn't been decisive where it matters most. And that is concerning.

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