Kylian Mbappe has once again etched his name into soccer folklore, delivering a thunderous statement at the Santiago Bernabeu. What he accomplished, even Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t.
Kylian Mbappe has once again etched his name into soccer folklore, delivering a thunderous statement at the Santiago Bernabeu. On a night that will be remembered for years to come, the French forward sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory for Real Madrid over Mallorca—not just with brilliance, but with history in his boots. What he accomplished, even Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t.
On Wednesday, the Bernabeu was charged with anticipation. Real Madrid, hampered by injuries but full of grit, needed inspiration. And once again, it came in the 68th minute from the man who was born for the big stage. Mbappe glided past defenders and drilled home the equalizer, leveling the match and setting the scene for Jacobo Ramon’s stoppage-time winner.
That goal brought the Frenchman’s La Liga tally to 28 goals in his debut season, surpassing a record that had stood untouched for 71 years. Alfredo Di Stefano’s 1953-54 debut tally of 27 goals had long been a pillar of Madrid folklore. Now, it’s Mbappe’s name that is etched atop that list.
Surpassing the legends
But that wasn’t the only record to fall. Earlier in the week, Mbappe’s hat-trick in a thrilling 4-3 loss to Barcelona helped him eclipse Ivan Zamorano’s record for most goals in a debut season across all competitions for Real Madrid. His tally now stands at 40 goals in 54 matches, a club milestone that puts him ahead of:
- Ivan Zamorano (37 goals, 1992-93)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (33, 2009-10)
- Ruud van Nistelrooy (33, 2006-07)
What makes the achievement even more mystifying is the perception surrounding his form. With two La Liga matches and the Club World Cup still to go, Mbappe is within touching distance of his career-high scoring season of 44 goals.
Better than Ronaldo?
The comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo were always inevitable—and now they’re justified. Statistically, Ronaldo reached 40 goals faster (in 46 games), but Mbappe now owns the most prolific debut season.
Kylian Mbappe’s numbers (2024-25):
- Games: 54
- Goals: 40
- Assists: 5
- Penalties: 7
- Minutes per goal: 111
- Minutes per goal or assist: 98
Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers (2009-10):
- Games: 46
- Goals: 43
- Assists: 14
- Minutes per goal: 90
- Minutes per goal or assist: 68
While Ronaldo was already a Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner when he joined Madrid, Mbappe arrived with a World Cup title and the lingering pain of almost winning a second in 2022. Despite falling short of club silverware this season, Mbappe has proven he belongs among the Galacticos.
