The latest setback occurred at Allianz Arena, where Real Madrid was eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals on the evening of 15/4. Mbappe scored in both the first and second legs, but it was not enough to help the Spanish club overturn the deficit. This marks Real's second consecutive quarterfinal exit since the French forward joined the Bernabeu.

This result concludes Mbappe's 10th Champions League season. Since his debut with AS Monaco in 2016, the French forward has played 98 matches, scoring 70 goals, a high-efficiency rate. However, he remains the only player in the top 8 all-time Champions League goal scorers who has not won the title.

Mbappe raised the score to 3-2 in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany on 15/4. Photo: AP

Joining Real Madrid in 2024 was a pivotal move for Mbappe in his quest for the Champions League. Upon leaving PSG, the forward, born in 1998, aimed for Europe's most decorated club, which boasts 15 titles. During Mbappe's formative years, Real won the trophy four times in just eight seasons.

However, reality has not met expectations. After two seasons, Mbappe and his new team have not progressed beyond the quarterfinals. This performance is even less successful than his time at PSG or previously with Monaco.

At Monaco, Mbappe made an immediate impact in his first Champions League season, scoring 6 goals and helping the team reach the semifinals. At PSG, he made deep runs multiple times, culminating in the 2019-2020 season when the French club reached the final. But in the decisive match in Lisbon, PSG lost 0-1 to Bayern due to a goal by Kingsley Coman. That match at Da Luz remains Mbappe's closest approach to the title.

Repeated exits in the semifinals or quarterfinals over the years have created a paradox in Mbappe's journey. He consistently ranks among the world's best players, scoring regularly, yet he cannot achieve his biggest club objective. At age 27, Mbappe is now on the list of renowned players who have not won the Champions League, such as Ronaldo Nazario, Gianluigi Buffon, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Francesco Totti.

One reason is the lack of coaching stability. In 10 Champions League seasons, Mbappe has worked with nine different coaches, from Leonardo Jardim at Monaco to various PSG coaches like Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Christophe Galtier, Luis Enrique. At Real, he has continued under Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and currently Alvaro Arbeloa.

This frequent change has hindered continuity in team projects, affecting the ability to build a stable squad capable of conquering the Champions League. The tournament demands tactical depth, team unity, and resilience across multiple knock-out rounds.

Mbappe expressed disappointment after Real's elimination in the 2026 Champions League quarterfinals. Photo: AP

After the defeat in Munich, Mbappe posted on social media. The French forward acknowledged his disappointment at being eliminated from a major tournament but urged the entire team to reflect. "We tried until the last minute, but it was not enough. We need to question ourselves to avoid repeating this failure," he wrote. "In Madrid, failure is never an option."

His most notable message was a promise: "We will soon start winning again."

Mbappe's post included a black and white photo taken from behind, capturing the moment he left Allianz Arena, symbolizing a dream still unfulfilled. Once again, Bayern ended the 27-year-old forward's Champions League ambitions.

Despite this, the future holds many questions. Real has not shown signs of revival during its personnel transition and may continue to change coaches before the 2026-2027 season, potentially affecting the club's long-term plans.

Mbappe still has time to avoid this fate. However, in modern football, many excellent players have not won the Champions League.

Hoang An (according to Marca, AS)