Kylian Mbappé only trails Cristiano Ronaldo in race to 50 LaLiga goals
Kylian Mbappé reached a remarkable milestone on Saturday by scoring his 50th LaLiga goal, cementing his place among the top goal scorers in the league’s recent history. The young French forward, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, managed to achieve this feat in just 53 matches, making him the second fastest player this century to reach 50 LaLiga goals. The only player ahead of Mbappé in this race is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid superstar who reached 50 goals just two games quicker.
Kylian Mbappé’s rapid ascent in LaLiga goal scoring
Since his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid, Mbappé has lived up to the immense expectations placed upon him. His 50th goal came from the penalty spot during a 2-0 victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, an event that not only marked another success for the team but also highlighted Mbappé’s growing influence on the squad. Achieving 50 goals in only 53 games is an extraordinary achievement, reflecting his clinical finishing ability, consistency, and overall attacking prowess.
This rapid milestone places Mbappé well ahead of other notable forwards who have graced LaLiga in recent years. Legends such as Luis Suárez and Radamel Falcao took longer to reach the same mark, requiring 59 and 64 games, respectively, with Suárez doing so at Barcelona and Falcao at Atlético Madrid. Even other well-known names like Robert Lewandowski and Neymar needed more matches to hit 50 goals after joining Barcelona.
The only player ahead: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, who set the benchmark for reaching this milestone quickly, got to 50 LaLiga goals in just 51 games after his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009. Ronaldo’s speed to this milestone serves as a reminder of his extraordinary scoring ability during his tenure in Spain. Over his nine seasons at Real Madrid, Ronaldo amassed a staggering 311 goals in 292 LaLiga games, a record that many consider unbreakable.
While Mbappé’s current rate is second only to Ronaldo’s, the comparisons underline how special these two players are. The pressure on Mbappé to live up to the expectations of a club like Real Madrid is immense, but his early performances firmly suggest he belongs in the same conversation as one of football’s all-time greats.
Praise from the Real Madrid camp
Following the victory over Levante, where Mbappé hit the landmark goal, new Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa expressed high praise for the French forward. The manager highlighted Mbappé’s commitment and leadership, especially given the physical challenges the player faced. “He is our leader,” Arbeloa said. “He made a great effort [to play], with the pain in his knee, but he still wanted to show up and help the team. He’s an incredible boy, and a natural-born leader.”
Such comments emphasize Mbappé’s maturity beyond his years and his readiness to shoulder responsibility for one of the biggest clubs in the world. His leadership qualities and willingness to play through discomfort are vital for Real Madrid as they pursue domestic titles and European glory.
What lies ahead for Kylian Mbappé?
If Mbappé continues to score at his current pace, breaking Ronaldo’s all-time Real Madrid goal-scoring record might one day become more than just a dream. His talent, combined with his age, gives him plenty of time to rewrite history in LaLiga. Moreover, Mbappé’s style—a blend of explosive speed, technical skill, and goal-scoring instincts—makes him a continual threat to opposition defenses.
As Real Madrid looks to reclaim dominance both in Spain and internationally, Mbappé’s role will be pivotal. Whether he can replicate the longevity and consistency of someone like Ronaldo remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising. For now, Mbappé’s arrival and rapid impact provide plenty of excitement for fans and analysts alike.
