Kylian Mbappé has reached a significant milestone in his career, receiving his first Golden Shoe award this Friday, recognizing him as Europe’s top scorer for the 2024-2025 season. The French forward netted an impressive 31 goals in just 34 La Liga matches, a feat that was celebrated in the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabéu. In his first comments to European Sports Media (ESM) and MARCA following the accolade, Mbappé expressed his deep connection to scoring goals, a passion he has nurtured since childhood. “Since I was little, I’ve dreamed of scoring goals. Every child starting out in football dreams of finding the back of the net over and over again. This award is incredibly important to me and brings me immense happiness,” he stated.
However, the Real Madrid star is not solely focused on personal accolades. He emphasized the importance of team success, especially after last season’s disappointments. “Everyone knows that collective achievements are what matter most. If we win the league and I earn another Golden Shoe, I will be even happier than today,” he added. His remarkable tally of 44 goals across all competitions last season has sparked discussions about his versatility on the pitch; Mbappé has proven capable of excelling regardless of his position. “I remember when I was presented; I said that my exact position didn’t matter much. I’m a versatile attacker, able to score from anywhere. Ultimately, I just focus on doing my job well, no matter where the coach places me,” he explained.
Memorable Moments and Future Aspirations
When asked about his favorite goal since joining Real Madrid, Mbappé reminisced about his first strike at the Bernabéu against Real Betis. “Usually, I’d say my most recent goal is my favorite, but this time I’ll choose my first because it marked the beginning of my journey at the Bernabéu. It was a special feeling, and I hope it’s just the start of many more goals in this stadium,” he reflected, clearly cherishing that moment.
Chasing Greatness
With this Golden Shoe honor, Mbappé becomes only the fourth player in Real Madrid’s history to achieve this distinction, joining legends like Hugo Sánchez, Ronaldo Nazário, and Cristiano Ronaldo. At just 26 years old, he acknowledges the legacy left by his idol Cristiano Ronaldo but remains focused on carving out his path: “Everyone knows Cristiano is the benchmark at Madrid, the number one. I’ve been here for a year and a half; he played for nine years. My journey is different from his; I want to establish my own legacy while being mentioned alongside him is already an honor.”
The 2025-2026 season has kicked off spectacularly for Mbappé, who has already scored 16 goals in 13 matches across La Liga and the Champions League—averaging an astounding 1.2 goals per game. This marks his best start to a season yet. He credits new manager Xabi Alonso for instilling fresh tactics and understanding within the squad: “Xabi is different from Ancelotti; he has his own methods. Gradually, we’re grasping what he expects from us. We can see our progress on the field since the Club World Cup, although there’s still room for improvement.”
Additionally, Mbappé has developed a strong partnership with young talent Arda Güler and praised the Turkish prodigy’s contributions: “He’s a very talented young player who’s ready to help the team despite his age. His impressive start to the season shows he has a magical touch that fans love. I hope he continues this way because he can be crucial for us.”
Speaking with Téléfoot about his remarkable form this season, Mbappé noted how well he prepared over the summer: “I came back with plenty of desire and determination. But it’s only November; titles aren’t won now. We must maintain our rhythm—the toughest part is staying consistent throughout.” The stage is set for what promises to be an exhilarating season ahead!
Comments
0 comments
Sign in to comment