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Michel Platini has claimed that Kylian Mbappe is ‘lost on the pitch’ at Real Madrid.
Mbappe has received much criticism for his performances for Real recently, especially with regards to his display in the Champions League defeat to Liverpool when he missed a penalty as his effort was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
The 25-year-old has scored just once in his last six appearances for Real in all competitions, with Platini admitting that his compatriot is in a difficult moment.
However, France legend Platini has backed Mbappe to respond and show that he is a ‘great champion’.
As reported by Football Espana, Platini said: ‘I see him lost on the pitch. However, great champions must rise from the ashes. That is what will make Kylian a great champion.
‘I’m confident this is only a small setback for him and for French football.’
Mbappe made his long-awaited move to Real from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer but not everything has gone to plan so far.
The forward has mustered a respectable return of seven goals in 12 appearances in LaLiga this campaign. However, he has scored just once in five Champions League games.
Former Real Madrid player Guti was heavily critical of Mbappe’s performance against Liverpool, stating that he lacks confidence.
Guti told Mundo Deportivo: ‘We would all like to know what is happening to Mbappe. He looks unconfident, shy. Moments before taking the penalty he looked scared.
‘In that sense he is surely not happy with his performance and wants something more. There is a lack of confidence, and to that you add that Real Madrid were waiting for him very anxiously and that he has come out of his PSG bubble in which he had everything under control.
‘Mbappe has now come to another team where he will surely have to compete with great players to be the best, and all that costs. And the Real Madrid shirt is difficult… And that’s normal.
‘It’s difficult to think that a player adapts so quickly and so quickly to a club like Real Madrid, where it’s very difficult to play.’
At PSG, Mbappe scored an impressive 256 goals in 308 games and won an array of league titles during his time with the French club but Champions League glory eluded him.
Real have struggled in the Champions League so far this campaign, as demonstrated by the fact that they are in 24th place in the league phase table.
Meanwhile, in LaLiga they are in second place, four points adrift of leaders Barcelona but with a game in hand.
Mbappe will hope to issue a response to his critics when Real return to action on Saturday afternoon with a home game against Getafe.
