The Frenchman and the Portuguese are constantly compared, and the data from their first seasons in Real Madrid offer interesting insights into the debate.
Since he set foot in Madrid, or even earlier, Kylian Mbappé has been constantly compared to Cristiano Ronaldo. And it's logical. He was the childhood idol of the Frenchman, both are world -famous football players, and their signing for Real Madrid, one in 2009 and the other in 2024, generated such high expectations among the fans that they both filled the Santiago Bernabéu during their presentation, where they even “1 … 2 … 3 … 3 … 3 … 3 … 3 …” Madrid! ” Speech that CR7 'invented.
Therefore, after he reached the point where Kylian, in his first eight months, as a Real Madrid player, is only two goals removed from the equivalent record of 33 goals in his first year, it is appropriate to assess some data to compare whether we actually look at a player of the Real Madrid.
The agenda helps'
In contrast to the debate that has been generated in recent days with regard to the accumulation of matches and fatigue of players, it is clear in this case that the fact that there are now more matches are being played than before a differential factor to have Mbappé maintain the tempo of Cristiano and to parverize him.
In fact, the Frenchman has already played 44 games this season, only four less than the entire previous season at PSG (48) and 11 more than Cristiano in the entire season 09/10, the first 'bichos'. But like almost everything, there is a catch. Cristiano, who in his first year in Real Madrid only reached the round of 16 of the Champions League and did not even play in the Copa del Rey when the whites were eliminated in the famous “Alcorconazo”, also missed 12 games due to an injury between September and November 2009.
For his part, Mbappé has already played in six games (La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup) and still lives in all and still has the Club World Cup in June in the United States that can only raise his quota in terms of matches.
That is why we have to go back to the same time of the year, but in the 09/10 season, when CR7 had 22 goals in 25 games. That is an average of 0.88. While the average of Mbappé is currently 0.77 goals per match. Cristiano Ronaldo wins here. For now.
The best debut, within reach
So, Mbappé did not exceed Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is on the right track. He is also on his way to achieve the best goal record for a player in his first year as a Real Madrid player. Surprisingly, it is not Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo himself, or Hugo Sánchez, but Iván Zamorano who, in the 92/93 season, arrived from Sevilla, scored 37 goals in 45 games, only one more than Kylian now has. Another such as Van Nistelrooy, in 06/07 33 goals achieved in 47 games.
So, Mbappé maintains his form in his career and becomes a kind of Cristiano Ronaldo 2.0, which of course will not only force him to keep track of the pace of this season, but to increase it as the years pass. At the moment he is 26, and unlike the 24-year-old Van Cristiano, he is two years behind. The Portuguese star scored at 33 and at that age nobody knows where Mbappé will be.
Partners are crucial
Last but not least, there is a part of the comparison that, in a team sport like football, is very important: the teammates. The players who tasks to offer assists and to create favorable play situations for the attackers, in this case, Mbappé and Cristiano.
In his case, the Portuguese star had players such as Guti, Raúl and Benzema in his first season. He also had others such as Kaká and Xabi Alonso, who had a great reputation, so he helped more and more goals in his first year and after that.
While Mbappé, at a different stage of the history of the Merengue, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Bellingham or Fede Valverde, players who undoubtedly play a very important role in the Frenchman's scoring record and who are aware that they are feeding each other if the Frenchman does well.
As things stand out, there is another season to go, and certainly many years to go, before we know if Mbappé will be better than Cristiano. He is on the right track, but what the Portuguese player did now seem so unreachable that it is impossible to say with certainty that he will achieve it. To continue.
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