Mbappé on the Brink of Ronaldo’s Record at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé continues to dazzle for Real Madrid, moving within striking distance of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s remarkable club record. The French superstar showcased his prowess during Real Madrid’s tense 3-2 victory over Talavera in the Copa del Rey, scoring twice and assisting another goal. This performance brings him to a total of 58 goals in a calendar year, just one shy of Ronaldo’s impressive tally of 59 set in 2013.

In a match that saw Real Madrid struggle against their third-tier opponents, it was Mbappé’s decisive contributions that ultimately secured their progression in the tournament. Manager Xabi Alonso defended his decision to keep the forward on the pitch for the entire match, emphasizing his critical role in the team’s success. “Kylian always has that knack for scoring,” Alonso stated during the post-match press conference. “The third goal was key, it was very important, and that’s why we kept him on the field.”

Match Overview

The encounter at Estadio El Prado proved to be more challenging than anticipated for Madrid. Despite taking a 3-1 lead, they allowed Talavera to pull back with a late free-kick goal that nearly forced extra time. Andriy Lunin, Madrid’s goalkeeper, made a crucial save in added time to preserve the victory. The match was a follow-up to their narrow 2-1 win over Alavés in La Liga earlier in the week, indicating a pattern of unconvincing performances from the squad.

Looking Ahead

With only one match left in the calendar year, against Sevilla on Saturday, Mbappé has a golden opportunity to etch his name into Real Madrid history by surpassing Ronaldo’s record. His current form suggests he is more than capable of achieving this feat. However, Alonso acknowledged that consistency remains an issue for his team: “What we’ve lacked is consistency and a consistent performance throughout games,” he remarked.

As Madrid prepares for their final clash of 2025, fans are left wondering if Mbappé can deliver another standout performance and claim his place among the club’s legends. With every goal he scores, he inches closer to not just surpassing an iconic record but also solidifying his legacy at one of football’s most prestigious clubs.