On November 30, Beijing Youth Daily reported that French media sources revealed Kylian Mbappé is currently battling depression and has been seeking professional help for treatment.
Ten days ago, L’Équipe published an article quoting people close to Mbappé, stating that he has been struggling with mental health issues. A journalist from Le Parisien commented on this during a TV show, saying: “The word ‘depression’ is alarming, but Mbappé is indeed experiencing a depressive phase.”
The journalist further explained: “Mbappé has faced criticism for political involvement and is under immense pressure from various fronts—his club in Paris, the national team, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the public. People thought his move to Real Madrid would ease these challenges, but it hasn’t. He is now working with professionals, but his condition is serious.”
Long-Standing Mental Health Challenges
According to L’Équipe, sources close to Mbappé revealed that his mental health struggles have persisted for months. One insider shared: “This issue isn’t going to resolve itself. It takes time and effort, and he’s working hard with experts to address it.”
Regarding his recent omission from the French national team, the source clarified: “It’s not as simple as people think. The situation is far more complex. Right now, the most important thing is for Mbappé to find joy in soccer again. Once that happens, everything else will fall into place.”
Struggles at Real Madrid
Since joining Real Madrid as a free agent last summer, Mbappé’s form has continued to decline. Critics argue that he hasn’t adapted well to the team and that his partnership with Vinícius Jr. is affecting overall team performance.
French soccer legend Robert Pirès recently analyzed why Mbappé was left out of the national team, attributing it to his poor form. Pirès said: “He’s not performing at his usual level. Didier Deschamps called him to explain why he wasn’t selected. Over the past few weeks, Mbappé has faced intense criticism from both Spanish and French media because he’s struggling.”
Pirès also noted that adapting to a new country, culture, team, and teammates is challenging. He described the situation as a “difficult combination,” which has added to Mbappé’s struggles.
Support from the Soccer Community
Despite the criticism, some players have come to Mbappé’s defense. French midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko told L’Équipe: “People forget quickly. If they think about everything Mbappé has achieved in his career, they’ll see how unfair these negative comments are. We shouldn’t doubt him—he’s done so much for France, PSG, and Monaco. I defend him because the criticism has gone too far.”
Raising Awareness for Mental Health in Sports
On November 29, sports commentator Han Qiaosheng addressed the situation, saying: “Mbappé is reportedly battling depression and hasn’t given a public interview in over two months. This season, he has played 18 matches for Real Madrid, scoring 9 goals and providing 2 assists. However, in the last 6 games, he’s only scored once.”
Han emphasized the importance of mental health in sports, citing examples like Adriano (Inter Milan), Gianluca Pessotto (Italy), and Gary Speed (UK), who also faced mental health struggles. He concluded: “This is yet another reminder of the need to focus on the mental health of athletes.”
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