Mbappé, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham: the puzzle Real Madrid need to solve

As AS reported weeks ago, Real Madrid has no doubts about who should lead the attack next season. Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior will share the attacking load in a squad that will be reinforced, but without any major overhaul. The club still places great value on the quality already in the locker room. There will be arrivals and departures, but within limits. Despite all the noise since the Champions League exit, nothing has changed.

Real Madrid need to make the most of Mbappé

As for the Frenchman, the goal at Valdebebas is clear: channel his full potential for the benefit of the team and the club. Everyone knows, starting with the player himself, that certain situations need to change and that some of the moments from recent months, which have disrupted the locker room balance, must be addressed.

There are no doubts about his talent or what he can produce on the field. His quality has already been evident at Real Madrid, but he has not consistently delivered it over his two seasons in white. Goals have not been lacking, but they have not translated into team success. The aim now is to turn those goals into control, dominance, and more trophies. There is confidence this will happen, as the club still believes the strategy from Valdebebas is the right one, even with a coaching change looming.

Vinicius locked in for Madrid’s future

There is no concern when it comes to Vinicius. Florentino Pérez and his staff see the Brazilian as a decisive and fully committed player. There is no internal debate about his understanding with Mbappé, nor about what he brings, as shown by his numbers over the past five seasons.

The only concern is finding a way for the combination to work in the team’s favor, something that has not been achieved this season when both have been on the field. Ancelotti left Real Madrid admitting he had not found the right formula. A year later, that issue remains unresolved, with no consistent tactical balance to unlock the full potential of two of the world’s top players beyond brief flashes.

What has happened to Jude Bellingham?

The third player expected to make the difference, and treated as such by the club, is Jude Bellingham. The Englishman is entering his third season in Madrid, and physical issues have limited his ability to show the form that made him a global star in his first months at the club. Adidas considers him one of its flagship athletes, largely due to what he produced in his debut season at Real Madrid.

His improved fitness has led to more incisive performances in recent games. Alongside Mbappé and Vinicius, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder will be the other key figure for Real Madrid in 2026-27. Now it is up to the next coach to get it right and give shape to their play, just as Ancelotti did. All three know they must create, but also contribute collectively. There is no alternative.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.