Mourinho demands more than goals from Real Madrid star Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has made the perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign, but Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid need the French forward to contribute more than goals as they attempt to end a two-season wait for a major trophy.

Mbappe is already leading the La Liga scoring charts before promoted side Malaga visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. He scored a hat-trick in Wednesday’s emphatic victory over Real Sociedad, giving Mourinho’s side two wins from their opening two league matches.

The 27-year-old has won La Liga’s top-scorer award in each of his first two seasons at Real Madrid and will be expected to add to his tally against Malaga.

However, Mourinho believes Mbappe’s influence must extend beyond his finishing, despite describing the forward as “incredible”.

“I prefer 40 (goals) with titles than 60 without titles,” Mourinho told reporters.

“I prefer 40 with a lot of work for the team than 60 just playing for himself, as often happens with forwards.”

The Portuguese manager’s comments were not intended as a criticism of Mbappe’s performances this season. Instead, Mourinho said he wanted the France international to preserve the high level of effort he has shown since the campaign began.

“I’m very happy with him,” continued Mourinho. “From a technical standpoint, there’s obviously nothing to say, but in terms of helping the group grow, taking responsibility, working…

“He arrived two days early, and two days early in that pre-season period can mean something positive.”

Mourinho believes that encouraging Mbappe to take greater responsibility within the team could help unlock a Real Madrid squad packed with quality and potential, but which has not won a major trophy in the past two seasons.

The manager also praised Mbappe’s achievements with France at this summer’s World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals. That took his career total at the tournament to 22, one more than Lionel Messi and six clear of the previous record held by Miroslav Klose.

“I’m really happy that he made history in the World Cup because there are 25 world champion players, but only one is eternal in football the player who has the most goals in the World Cup,” said Mourinho.

“I see him really hungry to make history with Real Madrid,” he added.

Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. Since then, Paris Saint-Germain have won the Champions League twice, while La Liga has been claimed on both occasions by Real Madrid’s rivals Barcelona.

Real Madrid failed to win any silverware last season. Mbappe’s only trophies with the club remain the 2024 UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, although he has scored 86 goals in 103 appearances during his first two campaigns in Spain.

“This year, we have to win, that’s what we all want, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Mbappe said on Real Madrid TV at the start of the season.

Mourinho, 63, believes collective football will be central to achieving that objective.

“I always say that with these players, you have to teach them to play as a team and teach them very little from an individual perspective,” added the veteran Portuguese coach.

He will hope his experience and authority can bring Real Madrid’s leading players together after a turbulent 2025/26 campaign. Xabi Alonso and then Alvaro Arbeloa both left during the season, while Mbappe’s goals were not enough to prevent the team from struggling.

Malaga’s visit offers Mbappe another chance to extend his already impressive numbers. Mourinho, however, will be assessing more than whether the forward can complete another hat-trick.