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Mbappé went into Saturday’s clash with Sevilla knowing that just one goal would take him to 59 goals in 2025—the same total Ronaldo achieved during his legendary spell at the club. After a tense wait, the decisive moment arrived in the 86th minute when Mbappé calmly converted a penalty to seal a 2–0 victory.
The celebration that followed said it all. Mbappé performed Ronaldo’s iconic “Siu” celebration before later dedicating the goal to his “idol.”
Social Media Tribute and Ronaldo’s Response
Following the match, Mbappé shared images on social media of his celebration alongside a childhood photo taken with Ronaldo, writing:
“Believe in your dreams. Big up Cristiano.”
Ronaldo responded in the comments with raised-hands and fire emojis, publicly congratulating Mbappé on matching one of the most famous records in Real Madrid history.
Xabi Alonso Hails Mbappé’s ‘Historic’ Achievement
The result offered welcome relief for head coach Xabi Alonso, who has been under pressure amid a run of inconsistent performances. While questions remain over Madrid’s overall play, Mbappé’s impact under Alonso has been undeniable.
The penalty against Sevilla marked Mbappé’s 30th goal in just 27 games since Alonso’s arrival in the summer. Remarkably, the Frenchman is currently enjoying the most prolific scoring rate of his career—averaging more than a goal per game under a single manager for the first time.
Under former coach Carlo Ancelotti, Mbappé scored 43 goals in 56 appearances, a tally he is now on course to surpass with ease.
“He always wants to make an impact,” Alonso said. “What he has achieved is historic. I congratulate him and wish him all the best heading into 2026.”
Record-Breaking Run Continues
Mbappé had already closed in on Ronaldo’s record earlier in the week, scoring twice in Real Madrid’s dramatic 3–2 Copa del Rey victory over Talavera. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot before sealing the win late on with a long-range strike that slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands in the 88th minute.
Now level with Ronaldo’s iconic benchmark, Mbappé stands on the brink of history—poised not just to match a legend, but to surpass him and carve out a legacy of his own at the Santiago Bernabéu.
