Mbappe out to start Barca's nightmare early by knocking Real Madrid's bitter rivals out

Kylian Mbappe aims to kickstart Barcelona's troubles ahead of time by eliminating PSG's fierce rivals, Real Madrid, from the Champions League.

The forward from France is on the brink of joining Barcelona's longtime rivals in the upcoming weeks, and could provide a glimpse of what lies ahead in the next few days.
Following Paris Saint-Germain's narrow draw with underdog Clermont Foot last Saturday, Kylian Mbappe delivered a somewhat ominous evaluation of his team's upcoming Champions League clash against Barcelona this Wednesday. In an interview with Telefoot, he stated, "I won't sugarcoat it. I'm confident we'll give our best effort."

These remarks mark a departure from Mbappe's recent demeanor at Parc des Princes, where he has appeared discontented. Since expressing his desire to depart PSG at the season's end, Mbappe has experienced inconsistencies in his playing time under manager Luis Enrique, offering ambiguous assurances about his commitment to the club and emphasizing his focus on the present task.

Therefore, his statements over the weekend can be seen as a rallying cry for an adversary who will soon play a significant role in Mbappe's career. As the rivalry between his likely future club, Real Madrid, and the team he is set to face in Catalonia on Wednesday intensifies, Mbappe is poised to develop a profound familiarity with Barcelona over the next decade.

In this match-up, he has the opportunity to make an early impact against Barcelona, as the next star of Real Madrid gets a chance to deal a significant blow to his future rivals even before officially joining the team.

Deal almost done

Mbappe has been linked with a move to Madrid for quite some time. The speculation initially surfaced in 2019, and Madrid made another attempt in 2021. Despite feeling confident about securing the deal in May 2022, Madrid's hopes were dashed when Paris Saint-Germain offered a more lucrative contract, prompting Mbappe to reject Madrid's interest.

Following that decision, Madrid adamantly declared that Mbappe would never join them, suggesting that the opportunity had passed. However, rumors about Mbappe's potential transfer to Madrid persisted. In October 2022, reports emerged that Mbappe was seeking to leave Paris, with Madrid being his preferred destination. Although Mbappe himself dismissed these rumors, they failed to quell the ongoing speculation. The rumors continued to circulate, and when Mbappe announced last summer that he wouldn't extend his contract with PSG, Madrid saw an opportunity to reignite their pursuit.

It appears that Madrid capitalized on Mbappe's dissatisfaction. Depending on the source, it's been reported that Mbappe has already agreed to the transfer. Allegedly, a contract has been verbally agreed upon, including a record-breaking €150 million (£128m/$162m) signing bonus.
Several Madrid players have hinted at an imminent deal, and Mbappe himself alluded to it by expressing a sense of calmness regarding his future, stating that discussions about his transfer are no longer happening at PSG.

Final piece in a super-team

Madrid must be overjoyed – and not just because of the imminent arrival of their star signing. Everything has fallen perfectly into place for Los Blancos over the past year, positioning them perfectly to welcome the player they've long coveted.

Initially, this season appeared to signal a rebuilding phase for Madrid, especially after they opted against signing Mbappe last summer. They began the campaign without a recognized striker, an abundance of midfielders, and with aging stars like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric seemingly on the decline. Additionally, there were rumors of Carlo Ancelotti departing for the Brazil national team job by season's end. While Jude Bellingham's arrival provided a boost, the team still seemed incomplete.

However, reality has defied expectations. Madrid currently dominates La Liga, with Bellingham emerging as a top contender for the Ballon d'Or. Kroos has rediscovered his top form, while young forwards Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz are enjoying standout seasons alongside the dynamic Vinicius Jr. Furthermore, Ancelotti's decision to extend his contract until 2026 adds stability to the team.

Florentino Perez is also planning further squad additions. Endrick is poised to join from Palmeiras this summer, displaying impressive form ahead of his €60m move to the Bernabeu. There's also speculation about Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich's highly decorated left-back, potentially joining Madrid. With these reinforcements, Madrid is assembling yet another formidable squad, with Mbappe set to assume the role of its centerpiece.

Decade of dominance ahead?

It seems like everything is falling into place for Madrid to maintain their position at the forefront of European football. With an already impressive array of midfielders and the addition of formidable attacking options in the near future, there's a possibility that even established players like Endrick or Rodrygo could find themselves on the bench. The depth and talent across the squad would arguably be unrivaled in Europe.

Moreover, this doesn't seem like a team that will need major restructuring anytime soon. A quick look at the key players reveals a youthful core. Bellingham is only 20, while Vinicius and Rodrygo are both 23. Endrick will be just turning 18 when he arrives in Madrid in July, making 25-year-old Mbappe seem relatively older among his new teammates.

But it's not just the attacking players who have youth on their side. Midfield stalwarts like Aurelien Tchouameni (24) and Eduardo Camavinga (21) are yet to reach their full potential, while Eder Militao, Alphonso Davies, Federico Valverde, and potentially Davies - if he signs - are all still approaching their prime years.

Assuming most of these players stay for the long haul, Madrid could boast the most well-rounded squad in world football for the next 5-10 years. This prospect should undoubtedly unsettle Barcelona.

What will Barcelona response be

Barcelona has historically struggled to match Madrid's financial prowess, and their recent high-profile investments in players like Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele have all failed to deliver as expected, contributing to the club's ongoing financial difficulties.

With limited options in the transfer market, Barcelona's financial situation remains precarious, despite President Joan Laporta's efforts to bolster the squad in the short term. Late payments from investors and stricter financial regulations from La Liga have only exacerbated their challenges. Consequently, Barcelona cannot rely on big-money signings to solve their problems, raising questions about how they plan to compete with Madrid.

However, Barcelona does possess a significant advantage in their renowned youth academy, La Masia. Players like Lamine Yamal, winner of the NXGN 2024 award, are seen as potential stars who, if nurtured properly, could reach the same level as Mbappe in the future. Additionally, talents such as Pau Cubarsi in defense and Fermin Lopez in midfield, who have earned spots in Xavi's lineup this season, offer hope for the club's future.

Furthermore, Barcelona boasts a young core, with players like Gavi, who won't turn 20 until this summer, and Pedri and Alejandro Balde, who are just emerging from their teenage years. While Barcelona may not be able to match Madrid's spending power, they have the potential to cultivate a squad capable of competing at the highest level.

Barcelona must stop Mbappe; but how possible is it?

The upcoming Champions League quarter-final sets the stage for an intriguing showdown between Barcelona and a PSG team likely to be led by a stronger Mbappe once he moves to Madrid. This presents an opportunity for both sides to make a statement.

Despite Mbappe being gradually phased out of PSG's lineup due to his decision to leave, the team still heavily relies on his presence. Although his performance levels have dipped in 2024, he remains a world-class talent, boasting an impressive record of 39 goals in 40 games across all competitions this season.

It appears that the most obvious strategy to thwart PSG is to contain Mbappe. However, this task won't be simple. Mbappe has demonstrated his devastating abilities for France during the March international break and against Clermont Foot last Saturday.

Furthermore, Mbappe has repeatedly expressed his commitment to bringing European success to Paris, making him even more determined to perform at his best. For Barcelona, keeping Mbappe at bay may be their best chance to keep their own season alive, especially with Madrid dominating the Spanish title race.

More than just securing a win, a positive result against this Mbappe-led PSG side could signify a strong statement of intent for Barcelona. By stopping Mbappe, who is soon to join Madrid, and eliminating his current team from the Champions League, Barcelona could gain a significant boost.

However, achieving this won't be without its challenges. Mbappe's recent comments suggest he's fully focused on this match and won't back down easily. Despite facing occasional criticism and ridicule for his perceived lack of commitment to PSG, Mbappe has proven himself as a big-game player, as demonstrated in the World Cup final where he scored a memorable hat-trick.

Nevertheless, if Barcelona can contain Mbappe or at least mitigate the damage he could inflict in the future, it could lead to a memorable week for them in Catalonia.