Kylian Mbappé finds himself in an unusual situation as he returns to Madrid's Valdebebas for training during the international break. Typically, the French superstar is a staple in the national team lineup, but this time, he was left out of Didier Deschamps' squad for the upcoming international fixtures. The reason? A tactical decision, which has added to the growing sense of uncertainty surrounding his career.

While this absence from international duty may seem like a blow to Mbappé’s momentum, it presents an opportunity for the Paris Saint-Germain forward to take refuge in Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are embracing his presence during the break, allowing him to focus on regaining his best form, away from the media frenzy that often surrounds him. However, the player’s own feelings about this unexpected situation remain unclear.

Mbappé No Longer the Top Scorer

Adding to Mbappé's current troubles is the fact that he is no longer the top scorer at his club. This marks a rare shift for a player who has dominated the scoring charts at PSG since his arrival in 2017. While his first season saw him fall short of Edinson Cavani’s 40 goals, Mbappé has been the undisputed leader in attack for PSG ever since. He claimed the top spot in Ligue 1 season after season, even surpassing Neymar and Cavani by a considerable margin.

However, for the first time in years, the Frenchman is now playing second fiddle at Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior has taken the lead in Madrid's scoring ranks, with a remarkable run of consecutive hat-tricks, most recently against Borussia Dortmund and Osasuna, pushing him to 12 goals. Meanwhile, Mbappé has only managed 8 goals after 16 appearances. His dry spell in front of goal, with no goals in his last four matches—including games against Dortmund, Barcelona, Milan, and Osasuna—has added to the pressure mounting on the 25-year-old.

A Period of Reflection and Anticipation

The fact that Mbappé has failed to find the back of the net in recent matches has left him frustrated and under strain. The international break, which could have served as a welcome reprieve, has instead added to his anxiety. Ancelotti, fully aware of Mbappé’s current scoring woes, chose not to substitute him during the Osasuna match, hoping that the Frenchman would break his goal drought before the break, sparing him from the mental strain of a prolonged period without goals.

This rare "dry spell" is unfamiliar territory for a player who has often been synonymous with goals. It’s clear that Mbappé is experiencing a period of personal and professional uncertainty, not only in terms of his status in the national team but also within the Madrid squad, where his usual role as the primary goal-scoring threat is being challenged.

As the days go by, all eyes will be on Mbappé’s return to form. Whether this time of reflection and recalibration at Madrid will help him bounce back remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the French forward is facing one of the most challenging periods of his career, both mentally and on the pitch.