Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has attributed his early-season struggles to a “mentality issue.”
The 26-year-old France captain joined Real Madrid on a free transfer last June after departing Paris Saint-Germain.
However, he endured a difficult start, managing just three goals in his first 11 appearances.
This period included missed penalties in crucial games against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, both of which Real Madrid lost.
Mbappe admitted feeling at his “lowest point” after those setbacks but credits a change in mindset for his recent resurgence, with four goals in his last three matches.
“I believe it was a mentality issue and that was a point I realised that I had to work harder,” said Mbappe.
“I was thinking too much about how to do things. Whether to go into space, whether to go to Vini’s [Vinicius Jr’s] area of the pitch, to Rodrygo’s area. When you overthink, you don’t focus on your game.
“I was fine physically and with the group but I knew I had to do more, that was the time to change the situation.
“I couldn’t do any worse, so when you hit rock bottom you can only go up.”
Since the defeat by Bilbao on 4 December, Mbappe has scored eight goals in 10 appearances in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed speculation that he has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
“I will never decide to leave Real Madrid,” said the Italian.
“This day will come, but it won’t be me the one who decides. It could be tomorrow or in five years. The plan is to be here with Florentino [Perez] for another four years and say goodbye.”
Real, who are 20th in the 36-team Champions League table, take on Red Bull Salzburg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).