Real Madrid’s Mbappé and Vinicius are not for sale

Objectively, Real Madrid’s Mbappé and Vinicius are among the five best players in the world. I’d round out that top five with Kane, Olise, and Lamine Yamal. But the idea of selling either the Brazilian or the Frenchman is social media nonsense I’m not buying. Yes, when Vini has played without the Parisian he’s been outstanding, and he delivered big nights against City and in the derby against Simeone’s Atlético.

It is though fair to say that when they’re together, they’ve struggled to combine their talents and become the lethal duo everyone keeps expecting to see. We know Vini got it wrong when he was subbed in the Clásico, with his reaction to Xabi Alonso, and the Bernabéu let him hear about it. Mbappé has also misstepped, with that ill-timed, immature getaway at a difficult moment for the team, and a fanbase that has no appetite for jokes or summer photo ops.

Madrid can depend on Vinicius, Mbappé, Bellingham...

But with players of the caliber of Vinicius, Mbappé, and Bellingham, the next coach’s job is to sit them down, speak frankly, and make it clear that the team comes first, ahead of egos and stat-padding. Without team trophies, individual achievements become dead weight no one with any sense should boast about.

Who will be Real Madrid’s next coach?

As a result, getting the next man in the dugout right feels absolutely crucial to restoring the confidence that’s been eroded by losing competition after competition. Neither the club nor the fans are ready to go through a third trophyless season. When Florentino unveiled Mbappé two summers ago, no one imagined this scenario. Time to react.

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