Are Real Madrid too dependent on Kylian Mbappé? The stats may surprise fans

Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappé for the third straight game when they take on Getafe in LaLiga on Monday. The French superstar is already a doubt for the Champions League home game against Manchester City in the round of 16 on March 11 because of an ongoing left knee issue.

Mbappé has, of course, been Madrid’s leading light for most of the season, scoring 23 goals in as many LaLiga games and 38 times in 33 appearances in all competitions, including 13 goals in just eight Champions League games.

The former PSG attacker is just six goals short of his tally for the whole of last season. In 2024-25, he scored 44 times, matching his career best from his final year in Paris.

Do Real Madrid rely too much on Mbappé?

Mbappé has scored 42.6% of Real Madrid’s LaLiga goals (23 of 54) and 43.2% of their overall total across all competitions (38 of 88), leading to suggestions that the Spanish giants lean too heavily on their main marksman. But to what extent is that the case, if at all?

First of all, let’s take a quick look back at last season, Mbappé’s first in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid lost 15 games in 2024-25, and the France captain played in every single one of them. Conversely, they were unbeaten in the nine games he didn’t play in, winning six and drawing three. A surprising revelation considering his 44 goals in 59 appearances.

Since Mbappé’s move from PSG, Madrid have played 92 games with the attacker and 15 without him. In that time, they have averaged the same number of goals per game with him as without him (2.20). Although it is easy to argue he isn’t directly responsible, the team has shipped fewer goals (1.13 per game compared to 1.20) when he hasn’t been available.

More importantly, Los Blancos’ win percentage with Mbappé on the field is slightly higher, however (68.5% compared to 66.7%).

A surprising attacking trend this season

If we only take this season into consideration, Mbappé’s presence has been more significant overall, although the sample size of missed games is fairly small. Madrid have won 24 of the 33 games the 27-year-old has featured in (72.7%). That figure drops to 66.7% when he hasn’t played (four of six games). Ultimately, this is what matters most.

But perhaps the most surprising stat is that Madrid’s attacking output has been significantly better without their most high-profile forward. The team has averaged 2.15 goals per game with Mbappé leading the line, compared to 2.67 per match when he has been on the sidelines.

Those statistics are mostly the result of big home wins over Real Betis (5-1) and Real Sociedad (4-1), impressive results against two of the stronger teams in LaLiga. Young striker Gonzalo García scored four goals in those two fixtures, suggesting he is capable of acting as an able deputy as uncertainty surrounds the severity of Mbappé’s injury and when he will return.

A defensive twist in 2025-26

Intriguingly, and contrary to last season, Madrid have a significantly better defensive record (1.03 goals conceded per game compared to 1.50) when Mbappé has been in the team in 2025-26.

So with the speedy attacker set for a little longer on the sidelines, perhaps we should expect more high-scoring games whenever Real Madrid play, which feels counterintuitive.

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