Kylian Mbappé added his title to a different line within the report books Saturday, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for essentially the most targets by a Actual Madrid participant in a calendar yr.
The milestone was about to flee the France striker till he transformed a penalty kick with 4 minutes left to finish a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s closing recreation of the yr.
He marked the achievement, which got here on his twenty seventh birthday, with a subdued model of Ronaldo’s trademark “Siu” aim celebration earlier than blowing a kiss on the tv cameras.
“A special occasion,” Mbappé stated. “We received the sport, which was essential — that was the target. With the report, it is unimaginable in my first yr doing what Cristiano did, the most effective participant in Actual Madrid’s historical past, a job mannequin in world soccer.
“It is an honor for me. He is all the time been affectionate to me, speaking to me about Madrid and how you can adapt. I am very glad now to attain targets for Actual Madrid.
“[The celebration] was for him. I’ve my very own normally, however I needed to share it with him right this moment. He was my idol as a child, I’ve a great relationship with him, and he is my good friend now.”
The previous Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in summer time 2024, has scored 29 occasions for Madrid this season, placing him right into a tie with Bayern Munich‘s Harry Kane for many targets by a participant from a membership in Europe’s high 5 leagues.
“I congratulate him, and I encourage him to begin 2026 effectively,” Madrid boss Xabi Alonso stated of Mbappé, who additionally has a LaLiga-leading 18 targets this season.
Jude Bellingham scored with a header within the thirty eighth minute to present Madrid the lead on Saturday earlier than Sevilla misplaced defender Marcão to a second reserving for rash tackles with 20 minutes left.
The consequence was nonetheless unsure till Mbappé transformed his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo within the space.
The win will do little to ease the strain on Alonso, with the crew underperforming regardless of three consecutive wins this week.
“We all know the second we’re in,” Alonso stated. “We’re demanding and self-critical to play higher, we all know this is not our stage and we wish to enhance. … The precedence was to win, however clearly some issues did not go as we needed.”
Madrid sit a degree behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona forward of the Catalan membership’s match with Villarreal on Sunday.
Data from ESPN’s Alex Kirkland, ESPN Analysis and The Related Press was used on this report.
