Mbappe Closing In on Ronaldo-Like Legacy at Real Madrid, Says Alonso

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso says French star Kylian Mbappe is well on his way to carving out a historic legacy at the club similar to that of his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe’s explosive form—ending last season strongly and starting the current campaign even better—has seen him score 55 goals for Real Madrid in 2025. He is now just four strikes away from matching Ronaldo’s 2013 record of 59 goals in a calendar year, the highest ever for the club.

The Spanish media has increasingly compared Mbappe to Madrid’s all-time top scorer for his growing influence and relentless ability to find the net.

“Kylian is on his way to making history at Real Madrid like Cristiano did. Not just because of the importance he has in the team, but also because of the ambition he conveys and the number of goals he scores,” Alonso told reporters on Saturday.

“Kylian is one of the chosen ones. He has this desire within him not just to do things well, but also to have a positive influence on others. This is something he shares with Cristiano — this contagious ambition that inspires the rest of the team.”

Mbappe, who won both the European Golden Shoe and La Liga top-scorer award last season with 31 goals, has raised his level further this year with 16 goals in 15 league matches and nine more in five Champions League appearances.

A lifelong Ronaldo admirer who once covered his bedroom walls with the Portuguese star’s posters, Mbappe could edge closer to the record when Real host Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Madrid will then face Manchester City in the Champions League on December 10, followed by league games against Alaves and Sevilla — giving Mbappe four more matches to try to match or surpass Ronaldo’s historic mark.

Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 games for Real Madrid. Mbappe, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, has 69 goals in 79 appearances so far.

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