French football sensation Kylian Mbappe is on the cusp of etching his name into Real Madrid's history books, drawing comparisons to the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo. His coach, Xabi Alonso, has declared the striker one of the "chosen ones" as he closes in on a monumental club record.
The Pursuit of a Legend's Record
With a phenomenal run of form, Kylian Mbappe has scored 55 goals for Real Madrid in the 2025 calendar year. This incredible tally leaves him just four goals shy of the record set by his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 59 times in a single year back in 2013. The Spanish press has increasingly drawn parallels between the two superstars, noting Mbappe's growing influence and prolific scoring ability at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alonso's Praise for a 'Chosen One'
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, manager Xabi Alonso left no doubt about Mbappe's special status. "Kylian is on his way to making history at Real Madrid like Cristiano did," Alonso stated. He emphasized that it was not just about the goals, but the player's overall impact. "Not just because of the importance he has in the team, but also because of the ambition he conveys and the number of goals he scores."
Alonso went further, highlighting the intangible qualities Mbappe shares with Ronaldo. "Kylian is one of the chosen ones. He has this desire within him not just to do things well, but also to have a positive influence on others. This is something he shares with Cristiano — this contagious ambition that inspires the rest of the team."
A Stellar Run of Form
Mbappe's current campaign builds on an already spectacular debut season. After winning the European Golden Shoe and finishing as La Liga's top scorer last term with 31 goals, he has somehow elevated his game. This season, he boasts 16 goals in just 15 domestic matches, and has been particularly devastating in the Champions League, scoring nine times in five appearances.
The French captain, who famously adorned his childhood bedroom with posters of Ronaldo, now has a golden opportunity to edge closer to his hero's milestone. Real Madrid faces Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu on Sunday in La Liga. Following that, a crucial Champions League clash against Erling Haaland's Manchester City on December 10th awaits, before league matches against Alaves and Sevilla. This schedule gives Mbappe four potential games to find the four goals needed to catch Ronaldo's 2013 record.
Since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, Mbappe has scored 69 goals in 79 games for Los Blancos. While he has a long way to go to match Ronaldo's overall Madrid haul of 450 goals in 438 games, matching his calendar-year record would be a significant and symbolic step in his quest to become a club legend.
