Kylian Mbappé is playing the No. 9 role at Real Madrid this early in the 2024-25 season. However, one expert believes that in the long term, this cannot continue, and the Frenchman will want to play on the left side. This issue could open the door for Vinicius Jr.’s exit in the future.
Mbappé has never hesitated to say that he’s not a fan of the striker role with the “#pivotgang” controversy a couple of years ago. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner will eventually want to play the left wing, his preferred position.
Nonetheless, that role belongs to Vinicius at Real Madrid, so eventually, something has to give, and CBS Sports’ Jonathan Johnson believes that the Brazilian will ultimately leave. Moreover, the French Football expert states that the Premier League or a move to PSG is the logical next destination.
“I’m not entirely surprised that the cohabitation between Mbappé and Vini Jr. is not going that well. I said it a while back, and I’ll say it again,” Johnson said on the latest PSG Talking podcast.
“I don’t see a future for Real Madrid where both of them are able to be starmen. And I think, logically, with Mbappé being the more recent addition to the squad, ultimately, I think there’ll be a moment where Vini Jr. is perhaps a little bit more on the periphery at Real.
“And if that was to happen, I think PSG or a Premier League move are the two logical options. So, who knows? Maybe that sliding doors moment for Mbappé creates the out for [Vini Jr.] in the future. Maybe he ends up at Anfield, or maybe he comes in as the next major Brazilian talent of PSG.”
Vinicius and Mbappé show affection on the pitch and note that there’s no power struggle, but PSG supporters have seen this story with Neymar Jr.
Photo credit: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
