Kylian Mbappé may have arrived with sky-high expectations, but the French striker is ending his first La Liga season as one of the few bright spots in a frustrating campaign for Real Madrid.

With 29 goals already, he’s a front-runner for the Pichichi and Golden Boot, despite his team’s collective shortcomings. His latest goal in a 2-0 win over Sevilla once again underlined his influence—and sparked another wave of criticism directed at his underperforming teammates.

While Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo have all been criticized for disappointing displays, Mbappé has emerged as the undisputed leader of the Merengues’ attack.

Spanish media, including Marca and Relevo, have slammed the rest of the squad for their lack of support and competitive spirit, even accusing them of abandoning Mbappé in key moments. With fans and pundits calling for the team to be built around him, the message to Real Madrid’s management and incoming coach Xabi Alonso is clear: Mbappé must be the centerpiece of the next project.