Kylian Mbappé has kicked off 2025 in spectacular form, demonstrating why he’s one of the most feared forwards in football. With eight goals in his first eight matches of the year, the Real Madrid star has brought his season tally to 22 goals across all competitions, proving his ability to deliver consistently in La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa, and Champions League.

Chasing Ronaldo’s Legacy

Donning the No. 9 jersey—once worn by Cristiano Ronaldo during his first season at Real Madrid—Mbappé is rapidly closing in on the Portuguese icon's debut goal tally of 33 in the 2009-10 season. At his current pace, the Frenchman could surpass that milestone well before the season’s end, underlining his place among the game's elite.

Unlike Ronaldo, who joined a Real Madrid side in transition, Mbappé arrived at a team already accustomed to winning titles. His impact was immediate, as he helped secure the UEFA Super Cup in his very first match, a feat that took Ronaldo over 80 games to achieve during his time in Madrid.

A Key Player in Ancelotti’s Winning Machine

Mbappé’s seamless adaptation to Carlo Ancelotti’s system has been pivotal in his success. Acknowledging the need to earn his place in a title-winning team, the forward recently stated, “I can’t come here and just demand the ball.” Instead, he has let his performances do the talking, with 22 goals scored in just 33 appearances by late January. In contrast, Ronaldo had only 15 goals from 16 matches at the same stage of his first season.

As January comes to a close, Mbappé has positioned himself firmly in the race to be Europe’s top scorer across all competitions. His explosive start to the year has put him on par with elite forwards like Haaland, Lewandowski, Kane, and Salah. In fact, no player in Europe’s top leagues has outscored him this month, cementing his reputation as a game-changer for Real Madrid.

Next Stop: Brest

Mbappé’s next opportunity to shine comes against Stade Brestois, in a match hosted at Guingamp’s ground. Historically, he’s thrived against this opponent, scoring nine goals in ten matches. With his current form, Mbappé will aim to extend his scoring streak to six consecutive games, keeping Real Madrid on track and further solidifying his place as one of the sport’s finest finishers.

Kylian Mbappé’s journey in 2025 is just beginning, but his ambitions are clear: to lead Real Madrid to glory while cementing his own legacy as one of football’s greats.