Kylian Mbappé arrived in Real Madrid with the highest expectations and under a lot of pressure. After a soft start, the criticism began to emerge--something that has always weighed its weight by wearing the merengue jersey. But the French forward started to fit in, and lately, he's shown that he's ready to shine. Having scored in his last four matches, he has reached 14 this season, more than Cristiano Ronaldo managed at this point in 2009.
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While Mbappé has outscored Ronaldo, the comparison underscores some key differences. CR7 netted his 13 goals in just 12 games, averaging a goal every 67 minutes. Mbappé, on the other hand, needed 24 matches, with an average of 141 minutes per goal. Even so, Mbappé's stats show he's finding his rhythm and has plenty to offer the Spanish giants.
The numbers speak
At the tender age of 26 this coming December, Mbappé has already achieved so much. Throughout a total of 477 games in club and country, he managed to put away 344 goals, numbers that set him apart from the game's top legends at his very same age: Cristiano Ronaldo was at 213 in 471 games and Neymar, with 321 in 520.
Still, at the summit of this class is Lionel Messi. The Argentine had netted 348 goals in 461 matches at 26, thus piping Mbappé by a whisker. Still, such proximity proves the French star belongs among the world's biggest soccer icons, solidifying himself as a generational talent.
Club journey
Mbappé's career started in Monaco, where he managed to score 27 goals in 60 games. The world took notice for the very first time in Monaco, but still, Paris Saint-Germain made him an internationally renowned star. And with 256 goals out of 308 games for PSG, Mbappé doesn't dominate just French soccer; instead, he is widely recognized on the international scale.
Now at Real Madrid, he has already scored 14 goals in 24 games. It's not an explosive start like Cristiano Ronaldo had, but it shows that Mbappé is adapting to his new reality. With time, there's every reason to believe he'll achieve even greater success with the Spanish club.
A standout for France
Mbappé is not just a club man; his influence extends to the French national team, where he has made his presence felt. Already with 48 goals in 86 appearances, he is a sure-fire one of France's all-time greats. His performance at important moments, such as the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia, where he was outstanding, was an important factor in earning that reputation.
In 2022, Mbappé again rose to the occasion, carrying France into the World Cup final against Argentina. His stunning three-goal performance in the final was historic, proving he can thrive under the brightest lights and the toughest pressure.
The challenge of becoming a Real Madrid icon
With Real Madrid, he faces the challenge of being one of the leading figures in the team. After a period of adaptation, he is starting to show glimpses that he can be the focal point of the merengue attack. Major titles, like the Champions League, will go a long way in defining his legacy.
While there are quite a few months to go on the season, Mbappé has both the talent and time to exceed any lofty expectations. He has been writing his story at Real Madrid, but he said it himself: turning numbers into collective victories is where truly great players secure their standing among the all-time ranks.