Kylian Mbappe’s Early Career at Real Madrid: A Promising Start
Kylian Mbappe has now made 75 appearances for Real Madrid, marking a significant milestone in his career. As he continues to build his legacy at the Santiago Bernabeu, it’s natural to compare his achievements with those of another iconic figure in the club’s history—Cristiano Ronaldo. While Mbappe still has a long way to go before reaching the legendary status that Ronaldo achieved, his performance so far has been nothing short of impressive.
Since joining Real Madrid, Mbappe has already scored more goals than any other player in the squad and has become a central figure in the starting XI. His ability to find the back of the net consistently has made him a key asset for the team. Fans and analysts alike continue to debate whether he is more effective playing wide or through the middle. However, regardless of his position, Mbappe often finds a way to make an impact on the game.
In his debut season, Mbappe scored an impressive 44 goals in 59 appearances. He has carried this form into the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 18 goals in just 16 matches. This consistent performance has earned him recognition as one of the most in-form players in the world. Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has praised Mbappe’s contributions, stating:
“We’re very happy with Kylian Mbappe. Goals win you games, but I don’t like people saying we depend on Mbappe, there’s a lot of hard work behind it.”
Despite these positive remarks, Mbappe’s current statistics still fall short of Ronaldo’s during the same number of games. The 26-year-old has scored 62 goals in 75 matches and added seven assists. In comparison, Ronaldo scored 70 goals and provided 20 assists in his first 75 games for the club. Ronaldo also averaged a goal contribution every 71 minutes, which is a testament to his incredible efficiency.
Another point of interest is the number of penalties each player has taken. Mbappe has converted 13 penalties in this timeframe, compared to Ronaldo’s 11. This shows that Mbappe has taken on a greater responsibility in front of goal, further highlighting his importance to the team.
After scoring his 70th goal for Real Madrid, Ronaldo continued to dominate the pitch and eventually left the club in 2018 as their all-time top scorer with 450 goals. For Mbappe to reach that milestone, he would need to score an additional 388 goals over the next eight seasons, averaging around 50 goals per season. This is a daunting challenge, but one that Mbappe is determined to tackle.
Mbappe has often spoken about how much he admires Ronaldo, acknowledging him as a role model. However, he also wants to carve out his own path at Real Madrid. In an interview with Movistar, he said:
“Cristiano has always been a role model for me. I’m lucky enough to talk to him; he gives me advice, he’s helped me. I think in Madrid he’s still the number one. He’s the reference point for Real Madrid players, who’s done a lot. The fans still dream about Cristiano. But I want to follow my own path.”
Key Comparisons: Mbappe vs. Ronaldo After 75 Matches
Here is a detailed breakdown of how Mbappe and Ronaldo’s records compare after 75 games at Real Madrid:
Kylian Mbappe
– Games: 75
– Goals: 62
– Assists: 7
– Goals + Assists: 69
– Penalties: 13
– Minutes per Goal: 99.1
– Minutes per Non-Penalty Goal: 125.4
– Minutes per Goal or Assist: 89.1
Cristiano Ronaldo
– Games: 75
– Goals: 70
– Assists: 20
– Goals + Assists: 90
– Penalties: 11
– Minutes per Goal: 91.8
– Minutes per Non-Penalty Goal: 108.9
– Minutes per Goal or Assist: 71.4
These numbers illustrate the stark contrast between the two players, with Ronaldo showing a higher level of efficiency and contribution. However, Mbappe’s potential and current form suggest that he could still achieve great things at Real Madrid.
As the French forward continues to develop, the question remains: will he be able to match or even surpass the legacy of one of the greatest players in football history? Only time will tell, but for now, Mbappe is off to a strong start.