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

Kylian Mbappé continues to make waves at Real Madrid, showcasing an extraordinary level of performance that has left fans and analysts in awe. Following a stunning quadruple against Olympiakos, Mbappé expressed his frustration with suggestions of a “Mbappé-dependence,” insisting, “You shouldn’t say that; you should say I didn’t do what I had to do.” Yet the statistics tell a different story—whenever he finds the net, the Merengues are almost guaranteed success.

In a pivotal match at San Mamés, the French forward delivered once again, scoring twice to secure a commanding 3-0 victory for Xabi Alonso‘s side. This win was crucial for maintaining pressure on Barcelona in the La Liga title race. Even when his influence fluctuates, his mere presence can shift the game’s momentum dramatically. This particular match held special significance; on December 4, 2024, nearly one year prior, Mbappé had missed a decisive penalty here and lamented hitting rock bottom. Fast forward twelve months, and he has transformed into a lethal force, netting an impressive 55 goals in just 55 appearances for Los Blancos this season.

Chasing History

Now just four goals shy of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s all-time record of 59 goals set in 2013, Mbappé has five matches left to reach this historic milestone. The contrast from last season is stark; his previous best was 44 goals with Paris Saint-Germain and also during his debut year at Madrid. If he maintains his current pace, he could shatter all previous records, potentially scoring over 40 in La Liga alone and reaching between 76 and 79 across all competitions if Real Madrid progresses deep into the Supercopa, Copa del Rey, and Champions League.

A New Level of Efficiency

Mbappé’s transformation can also be attributed to physical changes. A severe gastroenteritis during the Club World Cup resulted in him losing seven kilos—a change that he claims has given him a decisive edge. As he explained to Jorge Valdano, this newfound lightness allows him to accelerate more effectively while maintaining surgical precision in front of goal. Remarkably, he has halved the number of shots required to score; now when he hits the target, there’s a 50% chance it results in a goal.

The implications of his performance are monumental—not only is he becoming a scoring machine, but he is also etching his name into Real Madrid’s history books. As he continues to impress with his form and fitness, one thing is clear: this is Mbappé’s Real Madrid now, and he aims to leave an indelible mark on the club.