Mission Impossible? Kylian Mbappé Sets Out to Match Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé achieved a record-breaking debut season at Real Madrid, scoring 44 official goals – the highest tally ever for a first-season player at the club and surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo's 2009-10 total by 11 goals. However, expectations remain high, with the challenge now being for Mbappé to prove he can sustain that level in his second season, a period often distinguishing great players from legends.

The article highlights Cristiano Ronaldo's phenomenal consistency after his first season at Real Madrid. Starting from his second campaign, Ronaldo averaged 53 goals per season, dipping below 50 goals only twice (scoring 42 and 44 in his final two seasons) – a level of sustained output few players have matched.

Despite his strong scoring rate, Mbappé has only surpassed 42 goals in three seasons: twice with PSG (2021, 2024) and once in his Real Madrid debut. His consistency, unlike Ronaldo's, is presented as an open question. Now wearing Real Madrid's iconic number 10 shirt, Mbappé faces increased responsibility beyond just scoring; he must lead a team that fell short of major trophies last season, requiring sustained excellence.

While Mbappé begins his crucial second season under pressure, Cristiano Ronaldo continues his career at Al-Nassr. With 938 official career goals (club and country), Ronaldo aims to reach 1,000 before retiring, a goal supported by his recent contract renewal in Saudi Arabia. He is set to face Benzema's Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup, seeking his first official title with Al-Nassr after winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.