Kylian Mbappe is quickly cementing his status as one of football's icons, yet the question remains—how does his record hold up against the legends, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, particularly when it matters most during the Champions League knockout stages? With the World Cup winner recently signed by Real Madrid, hopes were high for him to replicate the kind of greatness exhibited by his idol Ronaldo and compatriot Karim Benzema.
Mbappe's early performances for Los Blancos have been nothing short of spectacular. During his first two Champions League knockout outings, he made his mark by scoring at The Etihad against Manchester City and earning a brilliant hat-trick back at The Bernabeu. Such accomplishments are only the beginning as he takes on the legacy of his predecessors.
“Everyone knows the admiration I have always had for Cristiano,” Mbappe expressed following the match with Portugal during Euro 2024 last summer. “I had the opportunity to meet and talk with him many times. We are in contact, and he always tries to give me good advice. It’s an honour.” This admiration speaks volumes about Mbappe's values and goals.
Ronaldo’s impressive haul during his time at The Bernabeu cannot be understated; he secured four of his five Ballon d’Or and Champions League titles over nine glorious years at the club. This sets the bar high for Mbappe, who must contend with such outstanding records as he carves out his future.
Mbappe’s respect extends beyond Ronaldo to include Lionel Messi, his former teammate from PSG. They spent two successful years together, clinching back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, yet the Champions League title proved elusive during their collaborative efforts. “Messi does everything well. You can learn everything from a guy like him,” said Mbappe about the Argentine maestro. “I used to go up to him and ask him: how do you do this? How do you do all of these incredible things?”
When contrasting their records, it’s noteworthy to understand the scoring capabilities of all three players:
Lionel Messi
- Appearances: 77
- Goals: 49
- Assists: 12
- Hat-tricks: 2
- Free-kicks: 1
- Penalties: 8/12 (66%)
- Minutes per goal: 136
- Minutes per non-penalty goal: 162
- Minutes per goal or assist: 109
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Appearances: 85
- Goals: 67
- Assists: 15
- Hat-tricks: 4
- Free-kicks: 4
- Penalties: 7/8 (87.5%)
- Minutes per goal: 112
- Minutes per non-penalty goal: 125
- Minutes per goal or assist: 92
Kylian Mbappe
- Appearances: 32
- Goals: 24
- Assists: 3
- Hat-tricks: 2
- Free-kicks: 0
- Penalties: 2/2 (100%)
- Minutes per goal: 107
- Minutes per non-penalty goal: 116
- Minutes per goal or assist: 95
Looking closely at these statistics reveals how remarkable Mbappe's young career has been. He has matched the goals-to-appearances ratio of legends Ronaldo and Messi, proving himself as not just another player but a top competitor on European nights.
While the focus often falls on the records of Ronaldo and Messi, it shouldn’t diminish the achievements of Mbappe at such a young age. His statistics showcase not just potential but performance under pressure, solidified through his Champions League appearances.
Mbappe defiantly asserted, “I have never envied anything. I just want to admire Cristiano's greatness. There will be no one like him.” But it is Mbappe’s growing influence on the pitch coupled with his respectful admiration for the legends of the game, which sets the worthy tone for his career's narrative.
He aspires to create his own legacy within the privileged company of those who have reached football's heights, blending respect, talent, and the relentless pursuit of achieving greatness. Real Madrid hopes Kylian Mbappe can replicate some of the success experienced by Cristiano Ronaldo, as his future becomes increasingly brighter under the spotlight of Champions League football.