“Cristiano Has Always Been My Role Model”: Mbappé’s Most Honest Confession Yet

Kylian Mbappé, the French captain and current superstar at Real Madrid, once again made it clear who shaped his football dreams:  Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a candid interview with Jorge Valdano on Universo Valdano (aired on Movistar+), Mbappé spoke with warmth and sincerity about the Portuguese icon who defined his career path.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has always been my role model, an example for me. I’m lucky to be able to talk to him, he gives me advice, he helps me… for me, he’s number one,” Mbappé admitted with a genuine smile that revealed pure admiration.

As a child, Mbappé grew up idolizing Ronaldo. Today, he wears the same white shirt, walks the same pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu, and hears the same chants that once roared for the Portuguese legend.

The Weight of Inheriting a Throne at the Bernabéu

Cristiano Ronaldo left an unerasable mark on Real Madrid: 450 goals, four Champions League titles, and a decade of dominance.
Now, Mbappé faces the enormous challenge of living up to that legacy — and he knows exactly what it means.

“Cristiano is the reference point for Real Madrid. People still dream and talk about him,” said Mbappé, fully aware of the pressure that comes with being seen as the club’s new talisman.

Inside Valdebebas, many already see him as the natural heir to Ronaldo’s throne. But Mbappé doesn’t want to be a copy, he wants to build something new, something that carries his own signature while honoring his idol’s legacy.

Admiration Beyond Football

For Mbappé, his admiration for Ronaldo goes far deeper than footballing talent.
He has often said that Cristiano’s discipline, mentality, and obsession with improvement inspired his own work ethic.

In Universo Valdano, Mbappé also revealed that he still keeps in touch with the Portuguese legend:

“I’m lucky to talk to him often. He gives me advice, motivates me and that means a lot coming from someone I looked up to as a kid.”

Their relationship has evolved from idol and admirer to mutual respect between two of the greatest of their generations.
Even as Ronaldo shines with Al Nassr, he sees in Mbappé the perfect successor to carry forward his legacy of greatness.

The New Leader of Real Madrid

Pressure doesn’t scare Mbappé it drives him. Since his arrival at Real Madrid in 2024, he has delivered goals, leadership, and a winning mentality.

In the 2025-26 season, he already has 14 goals in 10 matches across all competitions and leads LaLiga’s scoring chart with nine.

His impact at the Bernabéu has been immediate. Teammates describe him as intense, focused, and relentless — traits that echo Cristiano’s mindset during his Madrid years.

Mbappé knows matching Ronaldo’s numbers is nearly impossible, but that’s not the point. What truly matters to him is chasing greatness.
And that mentality, the one he learned from his idol, is what now fuels Real Madrid’s present and future.