Ancelotti tips Mbappé to emulate Ronaldo’s greatness at Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé is a man on a mission in Madrid — and one of football’s most decorated managers believes he could be destined for legendary status at the Bernabéu.
In a recent press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad, Carlo Ancelotti made a bold prediction: the Frenchman could match the monumental achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo at the club. It’s no small claim - Ronaldo’s 450 goals in white remain the benchmark of greatness in the Spanish capital.
“What I wish for Mbappé is that he is capable of achieving what Ronaldo did at Real Madrid,” said Ancelotti. “And I think that he can do it. That means he will be a legend at Real Madrid, like Cristiano Ronaldo is.”
It's a high target - but then again, Mbappé is no ordinary footballer.
A dream turned reality
Having finally completed his long-anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Mbappé has hit the ground running. The 26-year-old already has 33 goals to his name in just 35 appearances across all competitions, matching Ronaldo’s tally from his debut season in 2009-10.
But unlike many stars who take time to settle, Mbappé seems to be gaining momentum with each passing week. A slow start to life in Spain has been swiftly replaced by plenty of goals and game-changing performances. His brace against CD Leganés not only brought him level with Ronaldo's debut tally, but confirmed him as the focal point of Real Madrid’s fearsome front line - flanked by the Brazilians Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, and feeding off the service of Jude Bellingham.
His goals aren't just plentiful - they're also significant. A hat-trick against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu earlier this year made him the first player to ever score three goals in a Champions League match at both the Bernabéu and Camp Nou. It’s the kind of record that hints at more than just talent; it suggests legacy.
Chasing history
Mbappé’s 33-goal haul already places him among the elite debut seasons in club history. Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy, he’s now within touching distance of Iván Zamorano’s 37-goal record from the 1992-93 season - a mark that has stood for over three decades.
With Real Madrid still chasing silverware on three fronts - La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey - the Frenchman should have good chances of breaking that record. More importantly, he has the time and platform to build something far greater.
“I want to win La Liga, the Champions League, and everything that I can win with Real Madrid,” Mbappé told La Sexta. “All I wanted was to play at the Bernabéu in this shirt. With the fans singing my name. Score goals. To be happy.”
So far, he’s ticking every box.
From fan to phenomenon
Mbappé has never hidden his admiration for Ronaldo, whom he idolised as a child. “We know what he means for Real Madrid and for me,” he told Real Madrid TV. “We speak, and he gives me a lot of advice.”
The parallels are striking. Like Ronaldo, Mbappé arrived with immense pressure and the burden of expectation. Like Ronaldo, he’s answered it with goals. But unlike his idol, who joined Madrid at 24, Mbappé arrives in an era where the club is already brimming with youthful talent, and yet he has managed to rise above it all.
Ancelotti’s belief is not rooted in sentiment - it's based on what he's seeing on the pitch: a generational talent blending ambition with execution, flair with consistency. “He has the opportunity,” Ancelotti said. “That means he would be a legend like Cristiano.”
Legacy in the making
Matching Ronaldo’s 450 goals will take more than talent - it will take longevity, fitness, and a relentless drive. But at just 26 years old, Mbappé arguably has a decade ahead of him. If he maintains this trajectory, the numbers may not just be comparable - they could actually be surpassed.
For now, the Frenchman is writing the first chapter of what could be one of many for him in the white shirt. Whether or not he reaches Ronaldo’s heights remains to be seen. But the belief from within Valdebebas - and the Bernabéu - is that he just might.
And in Madrid, belief has a habit of turning into history.