Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has definitively settled the ongoing debate about penalty-taking duties at the club, establishing a clear hierarchy with Vinicius Jr. at the helm, followed by Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
The clarification comes amid Real Madrid's uncharacteristic struggles from the penalty spot this season. Despite initially being expected to take on penalty responsibilities as the club's number 9, Mbappe has experienced mixed fortunes, successfully converting four penalties but notably missing two crucial attempts in consecutive matches against Liverpool and Athletic Club.
English midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has also stepped up to the spot this season, faced his own setback when he struck the post in a crucial moment against Valencia in early January. In contrast, Vinicius Jr. has emerged as the most reliable option, maintaining a perfect record by successfully converting all four of his penalties in the 2024-25 campaign.
Ancelotti's decision was communicated with characteristic directness during a press conference, where he simply stated, "Vinicius, Mbappe and Bellingham," confirming the definitive order for penalty-taking duties.
In a recent demonstration of the team's penalty dynamics, Mbappe successfully converted from the spot while scoring twice in Real Madrid's commanding 4-1 victory over Las Palmas, with Vinicius unavailable due to a two-match suspension following his red card against Valencia. The team now looks ahead to their upcoming European fixture, where they will host RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
