Decision made! Real Madrid first-choice penalty taker confirmed for new season

The 2024/25 season featured some heated debates at the Santiago Bernabéu over penalty duties, with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior alternating as takers.

Journalist Marcos Benito reported on El Chiringuito TV that new manager Xabi Alonso has settled the matter for 2025/26, designating Mbappé as Real Madrid’s first-choice penalty taker, with Vinícius as the backup.

The decision paid off in Real Madrid’s LaLiga opener, a 1-0 win against Osasuna, where Mbappe confidently converted a penalty to secure the victory.

Last season, the France captain netted eight of his 11 penalty attempts, despite three misses, and finished with 44 goals, cementing his role as the team’s attacking spearhead.

Vinícius, however, struggled with consistency, scoring four penalties but missing two critical ones, including a weak effort against Valencia, easily saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili, which contributed to a 1-2 loss.

Alonso’s clear hierarchy aims to bring stability to Real Madrid’s penalty approach.