Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has declared that Kylian Mbappé has the potential to achieve legendary status at the club, just like Cristiano Ronaldo, after the French forward matched the Portuguese icon’s debut-season goal tally. Mbappé, who joined Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, scored his 33rd goal of the season in all competitions during a 3-2 comeback win against Leganés, equaling Ronaldo’s output in his first campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2009-10 .
Ancelotti, speaking ahead of Madrid’s Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Real Sociedad, emphasized that while comparisons between players are difficult, Mbappé possesses the ability to leave a legacy similar to Ronaldo’s. "What I wish for Mbappé is that he is capable of achieving what Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and I think that he can do it," Ancelotti said. "That means he will be a legend at Real Madrid, like Cristiano Ronaldo is".
Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, left Madrid in 2018 as the club’s all-time top scorer with 450 goals, having won four Champions League titles and two LaLiga trophies during his nine-year spell . Mbappé, who idolized Ronaldo growing up, acknowledged the significance of matching his hero’s milestone, calling it "very special" and revealing that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been offering him advice.
With Madrid still competing in LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, Mbappé has ample opportunity to surpass Ronaldo’s debut-season tally and further cement his place in the club’s history. Ancelotti, meanwhile, is focused on guiding his team through a congested fixture schedule, starting with Tuesday’s Copa del Rey clash, where Madrid hold a 1-0 aggregate lead. A victory would edge him closer to becoming the first manager to win the competition three times with the club.
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Sources: The Guardian, ESPN, beIN SPORTS