MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé’s recent impressive scoring spree for Real Madrid has drawn comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo.
After Mbappe scored his 23rd goal in 22 Spanish league games. Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 On Sunday, manager Alvaro Arbeloa said the French striker could be on track to match Ronaldo’s success at the Spanish powerhouse.
“What Cristiano achieved seemed extraterrestrial, impossible to match and no one could come close to,” Arbeloa said. “Mbappe has a long way to go because Cristiano has been here for many years. But he has everything to follow in his footsteps and I don’t know if he can surpass him. But if there is anyone who can, it is Kylian.”
Ronaldo, 41, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia, played for Madrid from 2009 to 2018, breaking almost every club record.
Mbappe, 27, joined the Spanish powerhouse last season and quickly matched some of the Portuguese star’s numbers. Mbappe will score 59 goals in 2025, equaling Ronaldo’s club record set in 2013.
At the time, Mbappé called Ronaldo “my idol, the best player in Real Madrid’s history and a reference point in world football. It’s an honor for me.”
Mbappé has started this year well and has put up even better numbers with nine goals in seven games. Last year, it took him 11 games to reach nine goals. This season he has scored 43 goals in 35 appearances for club and country.
“This is a great blessing, because he is now the best player in the world, which he proves every day, match by match,” Arbeloa said of Mbappe.
Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso at the club’s helm this year, is a former Madrid defender and a teammate of Ronaldo’s at Madrid, where they played together for six seasons from 2009 to 2016.
According to Spanish media, Mbappé’s France and Madrid teammate Aurélien Choameny was among those who said Mbappé has what it takes to surpass Ronaldo’s numbers at Madrid.
Ronaldo left the Spanish club having played 438 games and scored 451 goals.
Mbappe criticizes referee
Mbappé was caught on television criticizing a referee during the game against Valencia, with the France striker appearing to use the word “clown” to describe one referee. Mbappe appeared to be asking for an explanation about the offside decision, but the referee appeared unwilling to speak to the player.
Madrid, led by Mbappe, has won seven consecutive games in the Spanish league and is now one point behind leaders Barcelona after 23 games. They will face Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the first round of the Champions League.
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