France superstar Kylian Mbappe wrote his name into the Real Madrid history books on Saturday night, equalling a legendary record set by Cristiano Ronaldo, as Los Blancos secured a 2-0 La Liga victory over Sevilla.
A Record-Equalling Night at the Bernabeu
The match, played on December 20, 2025, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, saw goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe seal the three points for the home side. The crucial moment for the record came late in the game. With Real Madrid leading 1-0, Mbappe kept his nerve to convert an 86th-minute penalty, bringing his goal tally for the calendar year to 59.
This remarkable figure drew him level with the club benchmark for most goals in a single year, originally set by Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2013. It has taken 12 years for another player in the famous white shirt to match this feat.
In a poignant celebration, the 27-year-old French forward honoured the man whose record he matched. Mbappe performed Ronaldo's iconic 'Siuu' celebration—jumping, thrusting his arm down, and blowing a kiss to the camera—dedicating the moment to his idol.
Mbappe's Heartfelt Tribute to His Idol
Following the match, Kylian Mbappe did not hold back in his praise for Cristiano Ronaldo. He described the Al Nassr forward as his inspiration and the greatest player to ever represent Real Madrid.
"Today is a special day, the record is incredible," Mbappe stated. "I have equaled my idol Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player of Real Madrid. Today the celebration was for him, for my friend and my idol. He helped me a lot."
Mbappe revealed that Ronaldo played a key role in helping him settle at the Spanish giants after his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain. "Cristiano helped me adapt to Real Madrid. We talked a lot. It was nice. I have my own celebration, but I wanted to dedicate this to him," he added.
Ronaldo himself acknowledged the tribute on social media, responding to Mbappe's praises with a simple fire emoji on Instagram, signaling his approval.
Fan Reactions and League Implications
The historic moment sent football fans, especially on social media, into a frenzy. Many highlighted the significance of one generational talent honoring another.
One fan (@alexlockin) commented: "Mbappé catching Ronaldo’s 2014 record on his birthday and did a SIUUU is straight cinema." Another user (@0xdoha) noted the rarity of the achievement: "Tying a record set by Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid isn’t normal greatness, Kylian Mbappé is officially living in rare history territory."
On the league table, the 2-0 win solidified Real Madrid's position in second place. Barcelona currently leads the standings with 43 points, holding a game in hand over their rivals.
The night in Madrid was a powerful demonstration of legacy, respect, and world-class talent, as Kylian Mbappe stepped into a space occupied solely by Cristiano Ronaldo for over a decade, all while securing a vital win for his team.
