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Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared pivotal advice with Real Madrid regarding their star striker, Kylian Mbappé. The French phenom joined the Spanish giants last year after ending a seven-year tenure with Paris Saint-Germain, swiftly making his mark in La Liga and the Champions League. By January, his explosive performances earned him La Liga’s Player of the Month honors. As Mbappé carves his legacy at the Bernabéu, Ronaldo—a modern-day icon and Madrid legend—has offered guidance that the club and its supporters should heed.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s candid counsel: Nurturing Mbappé’s unique brilliance
In a revealing interview with Spanish TV program El Chiringuito, Ronaldo emphasized the importance of safeguarding Kylian Mbappé’s potential.
"Look after the lad," he urged. "The fans need to look after him. He’s very good. The club have to help to protect him. I have no doubt he’ll bring a lot of joy to Madrid fans."
Ronaldo, who remains Los Blancos’ all-time top scorer with 451 goals, highlighted Mbappé’s need for patience and tailored support as he adapts to his new role.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged Mbappé’s admiration for him during his youth, recalling a memorable photo from the Frenchman’s teenage trial at Madrid.
"I love [Mbappé], not just because of his story as a kid, how he loved Cristiano, I was his idol," Ronaldo admitted. "I think he’s a top player."
Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he now tunes into Madrid matches to appease his son, Mateo, who idolizes the 25-year-old forward.
However, Ronaldo cautioned that Mbappé’s transition to a central role requires nuance.
“It’s complicated because he doesn’t know how to play as a forward in my opinion—or rather, it’s not that he doesn’t know, but it isn’t his position," he explained. Drawing parallels to his own evolution from winger to striker, Ronaldo added, "If I was at Madrid, I’d show him how to play as a number nine. I wasn’t a forward. I got used to it, but I was a winger. People forget that. I was a forward, but not a typical forward. I think [Mbappé] shouldn’t be a typical forward; he should do things his way."
Balancing expectations with individuality
Despite early criticism, Kylian Mbappé has netted 22 goals across competitions this season, contributing to Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup triumphs. Yet, his recent brace in a 5-2 Supercopa defeat to Barcelona underscored the team’s fluctuating form. As Madrid gears up for a grueling schedule—featuring a Copa del Rey quarterfinal, a Madrid derby, and a Champions League clash with Manchester City—Cristiano Ronaldo’s words resonate louder.
The Portuguese legend’s message is clear: Mbappé thrives not by mimicking predecessors but by embracing his unique style. For Madrid, fostering this individuality while shielding him from undue pressure could unlock the Frenchman’s full potential. After all, as Ronaldo proved, rewriting the rulebook often paves the path to greatness.
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