From slow start in La Liga to mirroring Cristiano Ronaldo’s record – Kylian Mbappe’s turnaround at Real Madrid: The secret weapon? Al-Nassr star’s influence
Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid was one of the most anticipated transfers in soccer history. But despite all the hype, his first few months in La Liga were far from smooth. As the French superstar struggled to adapt to the consistency in a new league, critics began to question whether he could truly fill the shoes of his successful predecessors in the white kit, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
However, things have changed dramatically in recent weeks. The 26-year-old has rediscovered his best form, firing Madrid to crucial victories and matching a record set by one of the club’s all-time legends. But what sparked this turnaround? The answer involves Ronaldo—the very player Mbappe grew up idolizing.
Real Madrid‘s 3-2 victory over Leganes was shaky, with defensive flaws leading to two goals conceded in a frantic first half. The France star’s stunning Panenka penalty gave his side an early lead, but the visitors fought back to take a 2-1 advantage. Jude Bellingham equalized, and in the second half, Mbappe delivered the winning goal with a perfectly executed free kick, bringing his season total to 33 goals, a historic achievement for the club.
Mirroring Ronaldo’s debut season
Mbappe’s brace against Leganes saw him equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally from his first season at Real Madrid. Back in 2009-10, the Portuguese icon scored 33 goals in all competitions, a mark that the France captain has now matched in his debut campaign.
But there’s an important distinction. While Ronaldo hit that number in just 35 matches, Mbappe has taken 10 more games to reach the same total. The comparison inevitably raises debate, but for the Frenchman, just being in the conversation with his idol is an achievement in itself.
“It’s very special… to have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV. “We know what he means for Real Madrid and me.”
The influence of Cristiano Ronaldo
While Mbappe has always been vocal about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, his latest comments reveal a new dimension to their relationship. The Portuguese legend, now in the final stages of his career, has taken on the role of a mentor. “Me and Cristiano Ronaldo speak frequently. He gives me a lot of advice.”
In fact, it was CR7 himself who previously suggested that Mbappe still had things to learn as a striker. Now, it seems that mentorship is bearing fruit. Now, despite matching the Portuguese’s numbers, the forward made one thing clear: personal milestones are not enough. “I’m very happy to equal his goals in the first season, we know what he represents for all of us… but the really important thing is to win trophies with Real Madrid.”