Unexpected Twist: The Surprise Name Emerging as Mbappé’s Backup

Real Madrid’s search for a reliable backup to Kylian Mbappé has taken an intriguing and unexpected turn — and it’s a name few fans saw coming.

While the club continues to build its attack around Mbappé and Vinicius Jr., there’s growing recognition that an experienced secondary striker is still needed to provide depth and competition.

👀 The surprising candidate

Among the usual shortlist of traditional No. 9 options, one unexpected name has emerged:

👉 Mikel Oyarzabal

The Real Sociedad forward is now being seriously considered as a potential alternative — especially after his impressive performances on the international stage.

🔥 Why Oyarzabal is back in the spotlight

Oyarzabal might not carry the same global hype as other stars, but his recent form speaks loudly:

• Scored 15 goals last season despite a struggling club side
• Delivered 4 goals in 4 World Cup matches
• Previously registered 6 goals and 4 assists in qualifiers

After overcoming a serious knee injury, he has reinvented himself into a smarter, more efficient forward, relying on positioning and intelligence rather than raw pace.

⚪ A different kind of backup

Unlike typical backup strikers, Oyarzabal offers:

• Tactical versatility (can play across the front line)
• High football IQ and link-up play
• Proven La Liga experience

This makes him a low-risk but high-impact option behind Mbappé — especially in a demanding season with multiple competitions.

🤔 What about other options?

Real Madrid have also been linked with more traditional strikers like:

• Ante Budimir
• Vedat Muriqi

And internally, Gonzalo García is still seen as the most natural in-house solution.

But none of those options carry the same mix of experience and current form as Oyarzabal right now.

🧠 The bigger picture

This situation highlights a key shift in Real Madrid’s thinking:

👉 Instead of chasing only “galácticos,” the club may also look for smart, adaptable squad players who can complement their stars.

🔚 Bottom line

No deal is close — and this is still just an emerging idea.

But one thing is clear:

Mikel Oyarzabal has gone from an outside shout to a genuinely interesting option to back up Kylian Mbappé — and nobody saw it coming.