02/09/26 11:20:00
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02/09 09:06 CST Kylian Mbapp's scoring streak for Madrid has some wondering if
he'll overtake Cristiano Ronaldo
Kylian Mbapp's scoring streak for Madrid has some wondering if he'll overtake
Cristiano Ronaldo
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Kylian Mbapp's latest impressive scoring run with Real Madrid
has brought up comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo.
After Mbapp scored his 23rd goal in 22 Spanish league games in Madrid's 2-0
win at Valencia on Sunday, coach Alvaro Arbeloa said the France striker could
be well on his way to matching the success of Ronaldo at the Spanish powerhouse.
"What Cristiano achieved seemed extraterrestrial, something impossible to match
and no one could come close," Arbeloa said. "Mbapp has a long way to go
because Cristiano was here for many years, but he has the conditions to follow
in his footsteps, and you never know if he'll be able to surpass him. But if
anyone can, it's Kylian."
The 41-year-old Ronaldo, currently playing in Saudi Arabia, played for Madrid
from 2009-18, breaking nearly every club record.
The 27-year-old Mbapp joined the Spanish powerhouse last season and quickly
matched some of the numbers of the Portugal star. Mbapp scored 59 goals in
2025 to equal's Ronaldo's club-record tally in 2013.
At the time, Mbapp called Ronaldo his "idol, the best player in the history of
Real Madrid and a reference point in world soccer. It's an honor for me."
Mbapp started this year on a roll and with even better numbers, having scored
nine goals in seven matches. He needed 11 games to reach nine goals last year.
He has 43 goals in 35 appearances for club and country this season.
"It's a great fortune, because right now he's the best player in the world with
what he's proving day in and day out, game after game," Arbeloa said of Mbapp.
Arbeloa, who took over the club's helm this year to replace Xabi Alonso, was a
former Madrid defender who was a teammate of Ronaldo at Madrid, playing six
seasons with him from 2009-2016.
Mbapp's France and Madrid teammate Aurlien Tchouamni also was among those
saying Mbapp has what it takes to surpass Ronaldo's numbers with Madrid,
according to Spanish media.
Ronaldo left the Spanish club with 451 goals in 438 competitive appearances.
Mbapp criticizes referee
Television cameras caught Mbapp criticizing the officiating crew in the game
against Valencia, with the France striker apparently using the word "clown" to
talk about one referee. Mbapp seemed to be looking for an explanation for an
offside call but the referee didn't appear to want to talk to the player.
Mbapp's Madrid has won seven in a row in the Spanish league and sits one
points behind leader Barcelona after 23 matches. It will face Jos Mourinho's
Benfica in the first knockout phase of the Champions League.
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