Carlo Ancelotti has finally revealed the position Kylian Mbappe will play in Real Madrid’s star-studded attack.

Speaking ahead of Mbappe’s highly anticipated debut, Real boss Ancelotti appeared on the Obi One Podcast, hosted by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, to tell listeners that Mbappe will play as a centre-forward but is adaptable.

Mbappe is expected to play as a striker at Real Madrid (photo: Getty).

“I think he plays in the most advanced position. In front of the attack, it’s quite wide—68 meters. We have to cover these 68 metres with the players in front,” he explained.

“If I ask you where Vinicius played last season, it’s difficult to say. He didn’t just play as a left-winger; he moved around. The key to attacking players is mobility. Sometimes they can play on the left, sometimes in the middle.”

“Bellingham sometimes plays on the left, sometimes in the middle, and sometimes on the right. Rodrygo starts most of the games on the right; sometimes I play him on the left. So the important thing is mobility.”

 

“I want to give them freedom. They have to be able to control the game. We played against Man City with Vinicius and Rodrygo on the left because we thought we could take advantage. We weren’t too worried about where Mbappe would play. I think that’s right; the important thing is the mobility up front.”

Mbappe officially joined Real Madrid on July 1, after his contract with PSG expired. The presentation took place after the end of Euro 2024, with the Santiago Bernabeu stadium packed with fans.

The 25-year-old striker has taken the No. 9 shirt, which previously belonged to Karim Benzema and is not being used in the 2023–24 season. It is known that Mbappe’s preferred shirt numbers are 7 and 10, but two veteran players, Vinicius Jr. and Luka Modric, are holding them.

Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer (photo: Getty).

Mbappe did not make his Real debut in the 3-0 friendly win over Albacete on July 24, as he was rested after France reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

But Los Blancos fans won’t have to wait long to see him in action, especially as the club’s medical team has reportedly determined he won’t need surgery on his broken nose at Euro 2024.