Kylian Mbappé is making waves at Real Madrid, demonstrating impressive adaptability and growth on the pitch this season. Having celebrated his 26th birthday on December 26, 2024, Mbappé has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike with his recent performances, which have seen him net goals consistently.
After facing scrutiny during the earlier phases of his time at the prestigious club, where he struggled under the weight of expectations, Mbappé's fortunes shifted dramatically throughout December. He began to find his rhythm, scoring in four consecutive matches leading up to the holiday break. This surge of form has brought his total to 14 goals for the club, exceeding the tally of Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese superstar first joined Real Madrid back in 2009. Notably, Ronaldo achieved 13 goals over 12 matches, whereas Mbappé accomplished his 14 goals over just 24 appearances, showcasing his ability to find the back of the net more frequently.
This season marked the culmination of impressive statistics fetched from earlier accomplishments. By the age of 26, Mbappé had tallied 344 goals across 477 official matches—surpassing previous records held by both Ronaldo and Neymar but lagging slightly behind Lionel Messi at the same age.
His return to form coincided not only with personal resolve but also with pivotal discussions with Real Madrid's president Florentino Pérez. According to reports from Marca, Mbappé expressed regret for his early-season penalty misses and acknowledged feelings of self-doubt, affirming to Pérez, "Ninguém vai se arrepender da minha contratação" (Nobody will regret my signing). This pledge appears to have reinvigorated both his ambition and his standing within the squad.
The commitment he conveyed included statements like, "Quero ganhar títulos" (I want to win titles), reflecting his desire to not merely participate, but to lead the club to triumphs. Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, recognizing the potential within Mbappé, reflected on his expectations: "A melhor resposta de Mbappé será dentro de campo, com gols e bom desempenho" (The best response from Mbappé will be on the field, with goals and good performances).
Up to this point, the 2024-2025 season has been characterized by ups and downs. The team struggled initially and faced inconsistencies, with some players underperforming. Nonetheless, the atmosphere shifted after important talks within the club and the team's solidification following victories, including playing pivotal roles during key matches.
The growing chemistry between players like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo has also contributed to Mbappé's resurgence. With continually improving performances, Mbappé's name is once again becoming synonymous with individual brilliance and team success, as the team found themselves positioned near the top of the La Liga table, trailing Atlético Madrid by just one point. The success was aided by Mbappé's outstanding showing, which recently included drawing first blood against Pachuca, helping secure the Intercontinental title with his first goal of the match.
Looking forward, Mbappé is ready to push beyond individual accolades, aiming for collective achievements alongside his teammates. The coming matches after the winter break will offer him opportunities to cement his role as not just another attacking option but potentially the centerpiece of Madrid's future hopes.
Having already established himself as one of the most exciting talents of his generation, the team’s coaching staff now feels Mbappé has made the breakthrough they anticipated. The player is focused on how to translate this new-found confidence onto the field consistently and aims to build on his current form, safely embedding himself as one of the club’s key figures going forward.
Real Madrid fans are hopeful for what the future holds under Mbappé’s watchful presence. The next challenge awaits on January 3, 2025, against Valencia, and it’s clear everyone is eager to see how this young star continues to evolve at the club.
