Kylian Mbappe can become Real Madrid 'legend' like Cristiano Ronaldo, says Carlo Ancelotti
Updated 31/03/2025 at 17:44 GMT+1
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Kylian Mbappe scored his 33rd goal in all competitions this season for Real Madrid against Leganes, matching the tally Cristiano Ronaldo reached in his first season at the Bernabeu in 2009/10. Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has spoken about whether Mbappe can continue to replicate Ronaldo's scoring record during his time at the club. Mbappe says he "speaks" with Ronaldo and gets "advice".
Ancelotti backs Mbappe to become Real Madrid 'legend' like Ronaldo
Video credit: SNTV
Carlo Ancelotti believes Kylian Mbappe can follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps and become a Real Madrid "legend".
Mbappe, who joined Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has hit a rich vein of form since the turn of the year.
He now has 33 goals in all competitions this season, equalling the tally Ronaldo reached in his first year at the Bernabeu in 2009/10.
Mbappe scored twice on Saturday as Madrid came from behind to beat Leganes and remain three points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
"It's difficult but I wish Mbappe to match Ronaldo at Real Madrid for a long time, of course," said Madrid head coach Ancelotti.
"He has the quality to make it, I hope he becomes a legend of this club. He can do it. Cristiano's impact here was more than goals."
Ronaldo joined Madrid in 2009 from Manchester United and went on to become one of the club’s greatest-ever players.
He is Madrid’s all-time leading scorer with 450 goals in 438 appearances and won the UEFA Champions League four times during his nine seasons at the club.
Mbappe said after the win over Leganes that he gets "advice" from Ronaldo.
"It's very special...to have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.
"We know what he means for Real Madrid and me. We speak, he gives me a lot of advice, he scored many goals - but we have to win trophies here."
Madrid host Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday, leading 1-0 from the first leg.
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Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Portugal shakes hands with Kylian Mbappe of France
Image credit: Getty Images
The winners of the tie will play either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the final.
"Being so close to a final motivates me, it motivates the players and it motivates the club," said Ancelotti.
"So yes, I'm very motivated. Playing a final of any competition is an achievement. We're so close, we have a little advantage and we will have the support of our fans, so all of this makes us extra motivated."
Madrid face Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with the first leg at Emirates Stadium on April 8.
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