The best debut ever… but now comes the hard part

Kylian Mbappé couldn’t have asked for a better start to life at Real Madrid: 44 official goals, the best tally ever for a debut season in the club’s history—11 more than his idol Cristiano Ronaldo scored in 2009-10. But the expectations don’t stop there. Now he must prove he can maintain that level in a second season that has often separated greats from legends.

What CR7 did after his first year was simply outrageous. From his second campaign onwards, Cristiano averaged 53 goals per season in a white shirt. He dropped below the 50-goal mark only twice (42 in 2017 and 44 in 2018)—numbers few players have ever come close to.

Can Mbappé keep up with CR7’s pace?

Despite his strong scoring average, Mbappé has only surpassed the 42-goal mark in three seasons: twice with PSG (2021 and 2024) and once with Real Madrid in his debut campaign. Unlike Cristiano, consistency is still a question mark.

Now wearing the iconic number 10, the Frenchman carries more responsibility than ever. It’s not just about scoring anymore—it’s about leading a team that came up short on major trophies last season. The goal is no longer just to shine… but to sustain it.

Cristiano’s own race: 1000 career goals

While Mbappé begins his second season under pressure, Cristiano Ronaldo continues writing his story at Al-Nassr. The Portuguese icon has 938 official goals between club and country and dreams of reaching 1000 before retirement. His contract renewal in Saudi Arabia points precisely in that direction.

In a few weeks, he’ll face off against Benzema’s Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup, chasing his first official title with Al-Nassr after only winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.