Home
Kylian Mbappe has achieved a significant milestone in his first season at Real Madrid, outscoring legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo after his goal in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. Despite Madrid’s 3-2 defeat in the final, Mbappe’s performance continues to highlight his impact at the club.
A stellar first season at Real Madrid
With a total of 34 goals across all competitions, Mbappe has quickly proven himself as one of the club’s most prolific players. His impressive tally includes goals in four finals: a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, a 3-0 win over Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, a 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa, and the 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who went on to become Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer, netted 33 goals in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu during the 2009-10 campaign. Ruud van Nistelrooy also scored 33 goals in his debut season in 2006-07. However, the record for debut season goals is held by Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano, who scored 37 goals in the 1992-93 season.
Kylian Mbappe's journey to Real Madrid
Mbappe’s path to Madrid was long-anticipated. The 26-year-old French international was a primary target for the club before his eventual free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
His move to Madrid has been closely watched by football fans and pundits alike, especially given his remarkable ability to make an immediate impact.
Although Mbappe was named a substitute for the Copa del Rey final due to an ankle injury, he came on as a second-half substitute, continuing to show his resilience and commitment to the team.
Respecting the legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo
Mbappe, who once idolized Ronaldo, revealed last month that he still maintains contact with the Portuguese forward, seeking his advice and guidance. Ronaldo, who won numerous trophies with Madrid, including four UEFA Champions League titles and two LaLiga titles, is regarded as one of the greatest players in football history.
Despite his individual success, Mbappe has emphasized the importance of team achievements, stating that his goals will be “all for nothing” unless Madrid secures major trophies. Currently, Madrid’s best hope for silverware is in LaLiga, where they trail Barcelona by four points.
The future of Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has spoken highly of Mbappe’s potential, stating that the forward "has the possibility" to match Ronaldo’s legacy and establish himself as a club legend.
Ronaldo himself praised Mbappe earlier this year, calling him a "top player" while offering a word of caution, suggesting that the Frenchman should continue to "do things his way" rather than adhering to traditional expectations for forwards.
As Mbappe continues to make his mark at the Santiago Bernabeu, all eyes will be on him to see if he can build a legacy that rivals the greats, including Ronaldo, in the years to come.
ADVERTISEMENT
