Kylian Mbappé closes in on CR7 after reaching Real Madrid milestone

The Frenchman has hit a rich vein of form in 2025, forming a potent relationship with Jude Bellingham at Santiago Bernabéu.

Back in December Carlo Ancelotti was asked how Kylian Mbappé was fitting in at Real Madrid, having finally arrived after a decade of speculation.

“His adaptation period is over,” Ancelotti said of Mbappé then. “He is already showing how good he is, although he can still improve.”

Ancelotti’s words have been proved correct as the Frenchman has embarked on a clinical run of goal-scoring form, highlighting why Madrid had expended so much time and effort to secure his services. On Saturday Mbappé opened the scoring with a clinical finish at Real Valladolid, combining well with Jude Bellingham to scythe through the opposing defence.

That was Mbappé‘s 20th goal for Real Madrid, and he added another in the second half. With 21 goals from his first 32 games with the club, Mbappé is in with a chance of bettering his hero’s debut season.

Can Mbappé beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut season?

The Frenchman arrived in the Spanish capital last summer and hit the ground running, scoring on his debut in the UEFA Super Cup win over Atlanta United. However he then failed to score in his first three La Liga games and just once in his first five Champions League appearances for the club.

But now, after Ancelotti made some tweaks to Madrid’s attacking structure, Mbappé looks back to his relentless best. Despite a patchy start, Mbappé should still end the season with 30+ goals and could even better Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals tally from his first year at the club.

CR7 hit 33 goals in 35 appearances during his first season at the Bernabeu, a campaign that was hampered by a seven-week spell on the sidelines. Madrid racked up 96 points that year but still finished second to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Los Blancos finished the season without a trophy.

Mbappé has made no secret of the fact that Ronaldo was a big inspiration for him growing up. Having finally made the move to Real Madrid, Mbappé could match and even outdo his debut season performances.