Kylian Mbappe has just discovered pressing.
The Real Madrid megastar lost the support of many fans during the season for his lack of work-rate and defensive effort.
He then made things even worse by boasting about not having to press, and that his teammates step up even more when he does.
That was one of many factors that saw him increasingly booed at the Bernabeu during a trophyless season.
Now, he’s finally realised what he needs to do.
Mbappe says he’ll up his defensive work
Speaking to Le Parisien at the World Cup, he said: “I have to take another step forward defensively.
“I’ve always been demanding of myself, and I think I need to improve in that area.
“It’s important for the team, and I’m going to do it starting with the World Cup.”
Why it’s taken Mbappe this long to realise is a mystery, given he went viral at PSG for a team talk where Luis Enrique hammered him for his lack of input.
Mbappe didn’t seem to get it, and he still didn’t when Alvaro Arbeloa publicly turned on him.
Madrid fans and manager turn on Mbappe
Having defended the France captain throughout the season, Arbeloa took a U-turn in early May.
“To win, you need the commitment of all the players,” he said.
“It hurts me when we see other teams running more than us, because talent alone isn’t enough.
“We didn’t create Real Madrid with players who go onto the field in tuxedos, but rather with players who finish with their shirts covered in sweat and mud.
“When they understand what has made the club great, talent and effort come together, and that’s what makes us the best team in the world.
“There is not, nor will there ever be, a greater player than Real Madrid.”
The media took those words as a dig at Mbappe, and clearly so did the player himself.
Mbappe’s attack and the media’s response
Upon his return from injury, he lashed out at Arbeloa in extraordinary scenes.
Booed after being photographed on holiday with his girlfriend while injured, Mbappe grinned at the dissent when he came on during a 2-0 May win over Real Oviedo.
Speaking post-match, he said: “I’m 100% fine.
“I haven’t played because, for the manager, I’m the fourth-choice striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini, and Gonzalo.
“I was ready to start, it’s his decision and you always have to respect it. I’m not angry.”
His comments went down terribly, including with AS editor Tomas Roncero.
“He came on for 25 minutes and did nothing but stroll around the Bernabéu pitch,” Roncero commented.
“Kylian is incredibly talented, but he lacks the empathy needed to understand what this club needs to create a real connection with him and win the hearts of the Madrid fans.
“Vinicius can make mistakes, but he makes them with heart. Kylian is so detached in his actions that the Bernabéu crowd no longer knows what to think of him.
“He’s capable of scoring tons of goals, but during those 25 minutes, he didn’t press at all.
“Mbappe needs to rethink his attitude, and his friend Vinicius has shown him the way.”
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