Real Madrid went back on Saturday evening on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, which resulted in a 3-2 victory over Leganes. The Brace for Mbappe continued his striving for the Pichichi Award in his first season in Spain.
Mbappe is now only one goal from Robert Lewandowski (before participating in Barcelona-Girona) in the Topscorer race in La Liga and goes to 22 goals. In total, the Frenchman has 33 in all competitions, which means that he has already managed the total by Cristiano Ronaldo in his first season, the last similar signing in terms of profile. The record, held by Ivan Zamorano (1992-93) and Fernando Sanudo (1934-35) is 37 in a debut season.
It is especially impressive in view of his slower start to life in the Spanish capital, in which he himself stated that he hit 'Rock Bottom' at some point. The 26-year-old, however, has certainly found his confidence again, and according to Diario it is more than anyone, the difference maker in Spain. They say that of the 63 points that Real Madrid has managed in La Liga, 18 of them came directly as a result of the goals of Mbappe. In total, Mbappe accounts for 29% of all goals from Real Madrid, an indication of how crucial he has been for Los Blancos this season.
Mbappe was heavily criticized during the Champions League round of Real Madrid of 16 draw with Atletico Madrid, where he and the side as a whole struggled for opportunities. Taking into account his dip in November, he is still on average a target contribution every 99 minutes. Even if there is a feeling that he has not yet achieved his full potential, it is inescapable that, in a season in which little Real Madrid players have become consistently, Mbappe made the difference more often than anyone else for Carlo Ancelotti.
Comments