Mbappé – Foto: Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com
Kylian Mbappé, the French forward for Real Madrid, matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial scoring pace from the 2014/15 season by netting 13 goals in his first nine official matches of the 2025/26 season. The milestone was achieved at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain, during the early stages of the club’s European campaign. Ronaldo had reached the same number of goals in the same period during his first full season with the Merengues after joining in 2009.
The 26-year-old, who transferred from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has shown remarkable efficiency in competitions like La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. This historic mark underscores Mbappé’s swift adaptation to Real Madrid’s playing style under coach Xabi Alonso.
Statistical data highlights the rarity of this performance:
- Mbappé and Ronaldo are the only players to achieve 13 goals in this span in over 80 years of the club’s history.
- Legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás scored 12 goals in their first nine games in 1956/57 and 1959/60, respectively.
- Earlier players, such as Alday in 1941/42 with 15 goals, failed to maintain the average over the season.
🌟 @KMbappe, MVP del partido: “Mi trabajo es ayudar al equipo, solo pienso en eso”.
🎙️ Declaraciones completas ➡️ RM Play— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 30, 2025
Impressive pace at the Bernabéu
Mbappé’s streak includes decisive hat-tricks, such as the one against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on September 30, 2025. In that match in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the Frenchman scored from a penalty and added two more goals, contributing to Real Madrid’s 5-0 victory.
His performance raises expectations for the rest of the season, with the Madrid side aiming for titles on multiple fronts.
Comparison with Merengue legends
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid’s ultimate idol, ended the 2014/15 season with 61 goals in 54 matches, averaging 1.13 per game. Mbappé is currently close to that mark, contributing five assists in the ongoing campaign.
Other historic forwards like Karim Benzema and Raúl González took longer to reach similar numbers early in their Real Madrid careers.
- Benzema needed 111 games for 60 Champions League goals.
- Raúl reached the milestone in 115 matches.
- Ronaldo, in 98 games.
Champions League highlights
Mbappé hit 60 Champions League goals in just 89 games, becoming the second-youngest to achieve this, behind only Lionel Messi, who did so in 80 matches. He surpassed Ronaldo in this speed metric.
In the Kairat win, Mbappé focused on efficiency: he had five clear chances and converted three, helping Real recover from a recent derby loss to Atlético de Madrid.
Coach Xabi Alonso praised the player’s versatility, noting his 12.47 pressing actions per 90 minutes in La Liga, similar to his previous season.
Tactical evolution under new management
Xabi Alonso adjusted Mbappé’s positioning, prioritizing quick transitions and defensive involvement. The Frenchman took the number 10 shirt after Luka Modrić’s departure, expanding his playmaking influence.
In February 2025, Mbappé scored a stoppage-time winner against Rennes, repeating the feat days later in the Champions League against Real Madrid – an ironic nod to his PSG days.
His adaptation included a brief hospitalization for acute gastroenteritis in June 2025 in the U.S. during the FIFA Club World Cup, but he quickly returned to training.
Goal scorers in debut seasons
The ranking of goals in debut Real Madrid seasons places Mbappé tied with Ronaldo at 33 goals by March 2025, across 45 games. Ivan Zamorano leads with 37 in 1992/93.
Ruud van Nistelrooy also hit 33 in 2006/07, while Ronaldo Fenômeno scored 30 in 2002/03. Mbappé has 16 games left to surpass the top mark.
These figures make the Frenchman the current La Liga top scorer with seven goals and second in the Champions League, four behind Barcelona’s Raphinha.
Contributions beyond goals
Mbappé has 53 goals in 66 games for Real Madrid since July 2024, including a decisive overhead kick in the Club World Cup against PSG in July 2025, securing a semifinal spot. That goal, scored in stoppage time, was voted one of the tournament’s most beautiful.
He contributes to 56.5% of the team’s goals this season, providing assists and creating chances with an average of three successful dribbles per match.
His presence boosts the squad’s market value, positioning Real Madrid as favorites in all European competitions.
