Mbappe’s social media presence is extensive, and a particular post from October 2022 on his Instagram Stories stood out. After Paris Saint-Germain’s uneventful goalless draw with Reims, Mbappe shared a photo of himself reluctantly giving a thumbs-up to a teammate, accompanied by the caption “#pivotgang.”

This post was interpreted as a critique of then-manager Christophe Galtier’s tactics. Galtier had chosen to deploy Mbappe as a lone striker, a decision that Mbappe clearly disagreed with and didn’t hesitate to express. This incident marked the beginning of a decline in Galtier’s tenure, with Mbappe’s public dissatisfaction being a significant factor.

Looking ahead, if Mbappe finalizes his anticipated move to Real Madrid, he will likely find himself in a similar situation. The quality of players on either side of the pitch for Los Blancos means that he may need to adapt to playing in a more central role.

Before the Reims match, Mbappe had been vocal about his preference to play alongside a central striker rather than being the focal point himself. He believed that having a strong presence upfront would create opportunities for him to make strategic runs and exploit spaces – a modernized version of the traditional big man-little man partnership.

Mbappe’s desire for this style of play was evident in his performances for the French national team, where he excelled when paired with a striker like Olivier Giroud. Despite signing a lucrative contract extension with PSG in 2022, Mbappe’s expectations for a No.9 striker to complement his playing style were not met by the club’s management. This led to some frustration as he felt that the team’s tactics did not fully utilize his strengths.

While Mbappe continued to score goals for PSG, he expressed his dissatisfaction with his role, especially in comparison to his more liberating role with the French national team. He highlighted the difference in approach, noting that with France, he had the freedom to move around and exploit spaces created by a central striker, a luxury he did not have at PSG.

Galtier responded diplomatically to Mbappe’s comments, acknowledging the differences in tactics between PSG and the French national team. Despite this, the discontent from Mbappe was evident, leading PSG to bolster their attacking options by signing two natural No.9 strikers. This move has resulted in Mbappe averaging over a goal per game, showcasing his ability even when not in his preferred role. However, his desire for a specific playing style and role remains a key aspect of his career and could impact his future performances, particularly if he joins Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti.