Florentino Perez and Xabi Alonso place full trust in Kylian Mbappé ahead of new season

Real Madrid have made it clear that Kylian Mbappé is the undisputed focal point of their project, with both president Florentino Perez and new coach Xabi Alonso sending a clear message to the French forward about the scale of responsibility resting on his shoulders.

Over the summer, the club underlined Mbappé’s status by handing him the iconic number 10 shirt and assigning him penalty-taking duties for the coming campaign.

Internally, he is viewed as the team’s leader, a position that places him ahead of Vinicius Jr. in the pecking order—both in influence and salary.

This disparity is reported to be frustrating the Brazilian winger, who is currently negotiating a contract extension.

Mbappé’s debut season in Spain produced an astonishing 44 goals across all competitions, setting a club record for a first-year arrival.

However, despite his prolific scoring, the campaign fell short of expectations in the biggest competitions.

A slow start to life at the Bernabéu also proved costly, and the team finished Carlo Ancelotti’s final season without a major trophy.

Now fully settled in Madrid and well-integrated within the squad, Mbappé enters the 2025/26 season carrying even greater expectations.

Spanish daily AS put it bluntly: Real Madrid have put all their eggs in the Kylian Mbappé basket. Alonso, who replaced Ancelotti, is set to adopt a system built around two strikers rather than the previous three-man attack, further magnifying Mbappé’s central role.

The adjustment will demand more than just maintaining last season’s numbers.

Both the club hierarchy and the coaching staff expect Mbappé’s output—both in goals and influence—to rise significantly.

His ability to deliver in high-pressure matches will be key to Real Madrid’s hopes of reclaiming domestic and European glory.

Vinicius Jr.’s contract situation adds a layer of intrigue to the dynamics within the squad.

While the Brazilian remains an essential figure, the allocation of responsibilities and rewards makes it clear who the club sees as their leading star.

For Mbappé, the equation is simple: he has the trust, the backing, and the platform. As Alonso crafts a new tactical approach and Perez builds a squad designed to complement his talents, the Frenchman knows that his performances will be the ultimate measure of success. In Madrid, there is little margin for anything less than excellence—and Mbappé is expected to deliver it.