Mbappe equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s record as history repeats itself at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid enjoyed a statement night in Europe as Kylian Mbappe continued his sensational Champions League form with a brace in a crushing 6-1 victory over AS Monaco. 

With his two goals against Monaco, the French forward has now reached 11 goals in this season’s UEFA Champions League, achieving that figure in just six matches. 

That number immediately draws comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 11 goals during the group stage of the 2015–2016 campaign.

Of course, the competition format has changed since then. Ronaldo reached his tally in a traditional group stage featuring three opponents across six games. 

The current format sees teams face a wider range of rivals across eight matches in a league-style phase. 

Even so, scoring 11 goals in six games under any format shows the scale of Mbappe’s impact and places him alongside one of the greatest Champions League seasons ever produced.

There are a lot of similarities

That 2015–2016 campaign went on to become iconic for Real Madrid. 

This is because Ronaldo finished the tournament with 16 goals in 12 matches, and Los Blancos lifted the trophy after defeating Atletico Madrid in the final. 

Kylian Mbappe has equalled Ronaldo’s record. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Interestingly, there are growing similarities between that season and the current one unfolding at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Back then, Real Madrid also underwent a managerial change midway through the season, as Rafa Benítez was dismissed in January, and Zinedine Zidane was promoted from Castilla. 

The outcome is now legendary, as Zidane led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles.

Fast forward, and history appears to be whispering again. Xabi Alonso stepped down as head coach in January, with another Castilla figure, Alvaro Arbeloa, taking charge of the first team. 

What next for Mbappe?

For Mbappe, the next challenge is clear. Having matched Ronaldo’s group-stage output, his attention now turns to the overall tournament record. 

The benchmark remains daunting – 17 goals in a single Champions League campaign, set by Ronaldo during the 2012–2013 season.

Breaking that record will require not only individual brilliance but a collective rise in performance from Real Madrid as the knockout rounds approach. 

If the Monaco match is any indication, Mbappe and Madrid may just be on the verge of something special.