One question has drawn attention across the footballing world: Has Mbappé scored a free kick? For years, fans have pointed out that despite his blistering pace, technical gifts, and deadly finishing in open play, the French superstar seemed curiously absent from one of football’s classic weapons — the curl over the wall from dead-ball situations. In this article, CantoKick will walk you through the full story: the build-up, the myth, the breakthrough, and what it means now that Mbappé has scored a free kick (for real).
The Unexpected Free-Kick Gap
A Strange Omission in His Arsenal
Throughout his early career — at Monaco, PSG, and even in his initial matches for Real Madrid — Mbappé had established himself as a scorer. Despite taking set pieces occasionally or being near dead-ball areas, the records showed zero confirmed direct free-kick goals in all professional competitions for many seasons.
Some analysts noted this gap as one of the few missing elements in his footballing CV. Compared to peers like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo — both celebrated for curling free kicks — Mbappé’s reputation as a set-piece specialist had rarely been invoked. There was even skepticism whether he would ever tick that box.
Why the gap? Possible reasons
- Role in team setups: In many squads, specialists or older players took set-piece duties, leaving Mbappé to focus on attacking runs.
- Risk vs reward: With his value and prominence, coaches might have preferred more controlled options during crucial moments.
- Lack of practice or confidence: Curiously, despite his technical skill, he might not have invested as heavily in free-kick training until later stages.
- Close calls and replays: Some matches had indirect assists from free-kick plays or near-misses, but not clear goals that counted in official stats.
Stat databases tracked his “free kick goals” across seasons and showed just 1 in top-flight league data over many years before 2025. This small tally reflected that the few set-piece goals attributed to him were rare and often contested in classification.
The Breakthrough Moment: March 2025 vs Leganés
The match where it finally happened
On 29 March 2025, Real Madrid hosted Leganés in La Liga. Mbappé scored twice — first, then later in the 76th minute with a curling free-kick to seal a 3–2 victory. That second goal was widely celebrated as his first direct free-kick goal in a professional match.
The strike drew immediate attention: fans, commentators, pundits — all were eager to confirm whether this was the moment Mbappé finally crossed that threshold. According to set-piece tracking sources, this goal is officially logged as a free-kick goal in his La Liga stats.
Technical and emotional impact
His free kick was a bending right-footed strike over the wall, dipping beyond the reach of the keeper. The moment had dramatic flair: it was not just about scoring, but accomplishing something many had doubted he would. After the goal, scenes showed him embracing coaches, acknowledging the hard work behind mastering this shot.
In interviews, Mbappé praised the coaching staff and the goalkeeping coach, noting that weeks of preparation had culminated in that single delivery. This moment cracked open the narrative: the elite forward had now proven he could do it.
Debates and Caveats: Did It Really Count?
Technical debates among analysts
Not everyone agreed—some purists pointed out a nuance. In the play leading to the free-kick, Mbappé engaged in a quick one-two or touch between a teammate (Fran García) before launching the curl. A few critics claimed this intervening touch converted the attempt into an indirect free kick or altered its classification.
However, match statisticians, media outlets, and official records largely consider the goal a direct free kick, attributing it to Mbappé’s shot over the wall, not the pass. The classification in league free-kick goal tallies supports that view.
What the stats now show
- Before that match, databases listed Mbappé with 1 free-kick goal in his entire career — that entry often reserved or disputed.
- After the Leganés match, his tally rose (in many records) to at least 1 confirmed direct free-kick goal.
- His legacy narrative has shifted: previously missing that chapter, now he has begun writing it.
Before and After: Career Context & Comparisons
Mbappé’s goal-scoring portfolio
Throughout his career, Mbappé’s scoring has been prolific: open-play finishes, counterattacks, dribbles, headers, even penalties. His pace and positioning often lead to clear chances inside the box — situations where dead-ball goals were less central to his output.
Prior to 2025, many fans viewed the absence of a free-kick goal as a curiosity — “the one he hasn’t done yet.” Considering his high scoring volume elsewhere, it was always a minor blemish in an otherwise stellar résumé.
Comparisons to set-piece greats
When one thinks of free-kick masters, names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, or Pirlo come to mind — players who scored dozens of curling dead-ball goals. Compared to them, Mbappé’s free-kick tally before 2025 was negligible. The breakthrough suggests he’s now joining a different conversation: elite forwards who can deliver from both open play and set pieces.
Yet, we must be cautious. One goal does not make a habit. The true test is consistency: can Mbappé now deliver free kicks regularly, especially in pressure matches?
Implications Going Forward
Tactical flexibility for Real Madrid & France
With a proven free-kick tool, Mbappé becomes more dangerous in tighter matches. Opponents can no longer bracket him with the assumption that set pieces go to someone else. This adds unpredictability: is he going to run at defenders, or place the ball on his foot and curl?
For team managers, it opens options: in dead-ball zones, Mbappé can take, or at least threaten to take, freeing up other shooters. That also means training, rehearsal, and trust will matter — both to maintain accuracy and avoid entertaining criticism for low conversion.
Psychological and narrative boost
The breakthrough lifts a psychological veil. Mbappé’s confidence likely receives a boost: if he believes he can score that way, he may try more often. For fans and media, it changes narratives — no longer is he “yet to score a free kick,” but “the forward who has scored a free kick now expanding his arsenal.” That shift adds to his aura.
Watch for consistency
One free-kick goal is meaningful; repeated ones are legendary. Over upcoming seasons, observers will track how many he scores,, in what matches (league, cup, European). If Mbappé can deliver free-kicks in big games — Champions League, finals, derbies — it will truly elevate this new dimension.
Final Thoughts
In summary, has Mbappé scored a free kick? Yes — officially, he scored his first direct free-kick goal in March 2025 in Real Madrid’s 3–2 win over Leganés, following years of near-misses and anticipation. That moment shattered a long-standing gap in his skill set and added a new tactical edge to his game.
At CantoKick, we believe this is a turning point. But the story is just beginning. Will Mbappé become a reliable free-kick threat? Will he rival the legends in set-piece mastery? Keep following us to see how his tally evolves, to watch his free-kick techniques, and to analyze every curling strike he attempts.
If you enjoyed this deep dive on has Mbappé scored a free kick, check out our other articles — player biographies, match analysis, and breaking transfer news — and stay updated with CantoKick as his free-kick journey unfolds.
