Real Madrid head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, believes Kylian Mbappe has the potential to etch his name in the club’s history alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
The French forward, who grew up idolizing Ronaldo, has made an immediate impact since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, already matching the Portuguese star’s record of 33 goals in his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ancelotti expressed confidence in Mbappe’s ability to emulate Ronaldo’s legendary status at the club.
“What I wish for Mbappe is that he is capable of achieving what Ronaldo did at Real Madrid — and I think that he can do it,” said the Italian coach. “That means he will be a legend at Real Madrid, like Cristiano Ronaldo is.”
Ronaldo, who made the switch from Manchester United to Madrid in 2009, departed in 2018 as the club’s all-time leading scorer with an astonishing 450 goals.
His first season in Spain saw him net 33 times in 35 appearances, a milestone now equaled by Mbappe following his brace against Leganes in La Liga on Saturday.
Reflecting on the achievement, the 26-year-old forward shared how significant it was for him to match his childhood hero.
“We know what he means for Real Madrid and me, we speak, he gives me a lot of advice,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.
With Madrid still competing for silverware across multiple tournaments, Mbappe has the opportunity to surpass Ronaldo’s debut season tally.
The team will turn their attention to the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad on Tuesday, holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in San Sebastian.
Ancelotti, who could become the first Madrid coach to win the competition three times, emphasized the significance of reaching another final.
“To be close to a final motivates me, it motivates the players, and it motivates the club,” he said. “It’s an achievement to play in a final in any competition, so to be so close, to have a small advantage, and because we’ll have the support of our fans, obviously motivates us even more.”
Madrid’s journey continues, and with Mbappe firing on all cylinders, the French star may well be on his way to writing his own legendary chapter at the Bernabeu.
