ESPN News Services
Dec 8, 2025, 09:03 AM ET
Kylian Mbappé added his name to another line in the record books Saturday, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid's final game of the year.
He marked the achievement with a subdued version of Ronaldo's trademark "Siu" goal celebration before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
"A special day," Mbappé said. "We won the game, which was important -- that was the objective. With the record, it's incredible in my first year doing what Cristiano did, the best player in Real Madrid's history, a role model in world football.
"It's an honor for me. He's always been affectionate to me, talking to me about Madrid and how to adapt. I'm very happy now to score goals for Real Madrid.
"[The celebration] was for him. I have my own usually, but I wanted to share it with him today. He was my idol as a kid, I have a good relationship with him, and he's my friend now."
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, putting him into a tie with Bayern Munich's Harry Kane for most goals by a player from a club in Europe's top five leagues.
"With his ambition, his statistics ... he's among a chosen few," Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said earlier this month about Mbappé, who also has a LaLiga-leading 18 goals this season.
"Working with him on a daily basis is great. His desire to influence others, his contagious energy, is something he shares with Cristiano. There I see similarities.
"Cristiano is Cristiano, and Kylian is Kylian. They're both exceptional. We're very lucky to have Kylian, and we have to make the most of it."
Information from ESPN's Alex Kirkland, ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.
