Kylian Mbappe Faces Cristiano Ronaldo’s Same ‘Big Star’ Challenge at Real Madrid as Ex-Teammate Responds to ‘Arrogant’ Criticism

Rafael van der Vaart has compared Kylian Mbappé’s situation at Real Madrid to the period when Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the club’s attack, arguing that the presence of a single megastar can reshape how the entire team plays. Speaking about the pressure and scrutiny that comes with playing for the Spanish giants, Van der Vaart said that at Real Madrid “everyone gets criticised,” and that when Ronaldo was there, he was also often blamed whenever results did not go the team’s way.

Van der Vaart, who played with Ronaldo in Madrid, said his experience showed that having one overwhelming star in the squad can alter teammates’ decision-making in ways that are not always helpful. He explained that players often end up forcing the ball toward the main star even when a better option exists elsewhere on the pitch. In his view, this can reduce the fluidity of the team and make the attack more predictable.

He recalled that as a No. 10, he sometimes had other passes available, but if Ronaldo was positioned on the left, the natural instinct for him and for others was to look for Ronaldo first. Van der Vaart described this as a tactical challenge that clubs must learn to manage, because while a superstar can guarantee extraordinary numbers, the team can also become too dependent on that player.

At the same time, Van der Vaart made clear that the issue is not a lack of quality. He pointed out that Ronaldo was still capable of scoring around 60 goals a season, and said Mbappé is producing similar output now. That, he suggested, is what makes the situation so difficult: a team benefits enormously from a world-class finisher, but the collective balance can suffer if too much of the attack funnels through one individual.

The comparison highlights a familiar debate around elite clubs built around generational talents. At Real Madrid, expectations are enormous, criticism is constant, and star players are judged not only by their numbers but also by how well they fit into the team’s structure. Van der Vaart’s comments reflect the tension between individual brilliance and team cohesion, especially when a club has more than enough talent but still has to find the right tactical balance.

Mbappé’s current role appears to be under the same type of scrutiny once directed at Ronaldo, with observers questioning how the squad adapts around him. Van der Vaart’s view is that this is not unique to Mbappé, but part of the broader reality of playing alongside a dominant superstar at a club like Real Madrid.