Goals get the headlines, but Kylian Mbappé is quietly putting together a statistical case that goes well beyond the scoresheet. According to data from WhoScored, the Real Madrid striker is the most prolific dribbler in La Liga through the opening weeks of the 2026/27 season — and not just in Spain. He leads all of Europe’s top five leagues in that category.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Mbappé has completed 22 successful dribbles so far this season, three clear of Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal (19) in second place. Remarkably, Real Madrid’s own Jude Bellingham sits third in that European ranking with 14 — meaning Los Blancos hold the top spot and the bronze medal simultaneously. For a side that is already dominating in terms of results, the fact that two of their players are among the most direct, attack-minded dribblers on the continent is a pretty terrifying sign for opponents.
On the scoring front, Mbappé has been equally electric. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has seven goals across six appearances in La Liga and the Champions League combined. His most recent contribution came in the form of a brace during Real Madrid’s commanding win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend — a result that underlined just how ruthless Carlo Ancelotti’s side are shaping up to be this term.
The WhoScored ranking in full:
🥇 Kylian Mbappé — 22 dribbles
🥈 Lamine Yamal — 19 dribbles
🥉 Jude Bellingham — 14 dribbles
What This Means for Real Madrid
There were plenty of questions surrounding Mbappé heading into this campaign. After a mixed debut season at the Bernabéu — one in which he undeniably contributed but never quite hit the jaw-dropping heights many had anticipated — supporters were eager to see a more dominant, more recognisable version of the Frenchman. Seven goals and league-leading dribble numbers in the first few weeks suggest the answer to those questions is arriving in emphatic fashion.
What makes the dribbling statistic particularly interesting is what it tells us about Mbappé’s overall engagement with games. Dribbles aren’t just a flash stat — they reflect a player who is actively seeking the ball, taking on defenders, and creating situations in one-v-one scenarios. During spells of his first Real Madrid season, critics noted that the forward occasionally looked isolated or peripheral in Ancelotti’s system. Right now, he looks like he owns the pitch.
It’s also worth noting the context of that Bellingham figure. The England midfielder ranking third across Europe’s top five leagues for completed dribbles is a reminder that Real Madrid’s attacking unit isn’t relying solely on Mbappé to provide forward momentum and creativity. Bellingham has always been a box-to-box force capable of carrying the ball through pressure — having him in that top three only adds another dimension to what this team can do going forward.
What’s Next
With the international break now upon us, Madridistas will have to wait a little longer to see whether Mbappé can keep up this blistering pace when club football resumes. But the early evidence from 2026/27 is genuinely exciting. If he can sustain anywhere close to this level of output and directness throughout the campaign, Real Madrid’s attacking unit could be the most dangerous in Europe — not just on paper, but on the pitch, every single week.
For fans who spent parts of last season wondering when the real Mbappé would show up at the Bernabéu: it looks like he’s finally, fully arrived.
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