Ronaldo’s record remains intact, with Kylian Mbappe falling just short after pushing the mark to the very end. The Frenchman finished one goal shy of becoming Real Madrid’s highest goalscorer in a single calendar year.
Mbappe’s two goals in the 3-2 Copa del Rey victory over Talavera de la Reina had taken his tally to 58 for the year, meaning he needed two against Sevilla to surpass the 12-year-old record. Despite chances falling his way in both halves, he was unable to find the breakthrough until the 86th minute, when Rodrygo Goes was fouled in the box.
Mbappe calmly converted the resulting penalty to draw level with Ronaldo on 59 goals. Three minutes later, Real Madrid were awarded another penalty following a foul on Jude Bellingham, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, denying Mbappe a late opportunity to claim the record outright.
Despite falling short of that target, several of Ronaldo’s records remain under threat, with Mbappé’s form over the past few months suggesting he could yet surpass them.
Are Ronaldo’s Records Really Under Threat?
Breaking Down the Numbers
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in the 2009 summer transfer window, and went on to spend nine unforgettable years at the club, making 438 appearances and scoring 450 goals – a record that established him as the all-time leading Real Madrid goalscorer. The record has long looked unbreakable, but with Kylian Mbappe now at the Santiago Bernabeu, the possibility of it being broken no longer feels far-fetched.
If the Frenchman maintains his red-hot form and commits his future to Real Madrid, there is every possibility he could match or even surpass Ronaldo’s numbers, as he has so far reached 72 goals in 82 games for the Los Blancos in all competitions.
UEFA Champions League Records
Ronaldo, who stands as the all-time leading Real Madrid goalscorer in the Champions League with 105 goals, also set the record for the most goals in a single campaign with 17. These are milestones Mbappe will surely be targeting as he continues his prolific run on Europe’s biggest stage.
Mbappe’s last UCL hat-trick against Olympiacos in the fifth game out of eight league phases was the second fastest hat-trick in the competition’s history, and those goals took his tally to nine goals.
A good goal-scoring rate that keeps him firmly on track to challenge Ronaldo’s records. Considering his age and form he currently enjoys, he could well be on course to shatter records that once appeared untouchable.
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Ronaldo’s Records Already Broken by Mbappe
Most Goals in a Debut Season at Real Madrid
In the 2009/2010 season, Ronaldo ended the campaign with 33 goals, and the record stood for 15 years until Mbappe broke the record, having ended the 2024/25 season with 34 goals.
Scoring in All Competitions in One Season
Ronaldo’s first year at Madrid saw him score in three competitions (La Liga, UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey). The team didn’t participate in the Spanish Super Cup as they didn’t win the La Liga or Copa del Rey the previous season.
But in the first five months of Mbappe’s tenure at the club, he had scored in six competitions (La Liga, Champions League, European Supercup, Intercontinental Cup, Spanish Supercup, King’s Cup), a milestone Ronaldo didn’t achieve in that timeframe.
Fastest to 50 Champions League goals
It took Ronaldo 91 games to reach 50 goals in the Champions League; Kylian Mbappe reached 50 Champions League goals in fewer games (79).
Potential Barriers to Breaking Ronaldo’s Records
Injuries
One of the main reasons behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking career at Real Madrid was the length he would go to remain fit and avoid long-term injuries. In his nine years at the club, the Portuguese legend rarely missed long stretches of action, with the longest period he stayed away from the pitch being around four months due to a ligament issue in the 2014/15 campaign.
For the most part, he stayed available and played almost every game, which allowed him to rack up 450 goals in 438 appearances
For Mbappe to reach the number of goals CR7 was able to amass at the club, his fitness has to be his number one priority. He has to stay healthy, as this key factor could hinder his ambitions.
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Longevity
After addressing his fitness and maintaining consistency on the pitch, the next decisive factor in Mbappe’s chase of Ronaldo’s records is longevity. Records of such magnitude are not broken in one or two seasons – they require consistency and years of sustained brilliance. Cristiano Ronaldo spent nine unforgettable seasons at Real Madrid, allowing him to rack up 450 goals and establish himself as the all-time leading Real Madrid goalscorer.
The big question now is: how long will Mbappe stay at the Santiago Bernabéu? His ability to equal or surpass Ronaldo’s numbers will depend heavily on his commitment to the club. Longevity requires not only fitness and form but also stability off the pitch. That means resolving any potential contract disputes with the hierarchy and ensuring he remains the focal point of Real Madrid’s attack for the foreseeable future.
At the age of 26, if Mbappe dedicates the prime of his career to Los Blancos, he won’t just be knocking on Ronaldo’s door – he could very well rewrite the history books as he puts Ronaldo’s records under threat like never before.
Competition in the Squad (Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo, Bellingham).
An imbalanced or egocentric squad that puts their personal glory ahead of the team’s would not only cause disharmony on and off the pitch, but would also disrupt the team’s chemistry.
During Ronaldo’s era, he was surrounded by the likes of Bale, Benzema, Kroos, and other key figures who prioritised the team’s goals above their own, a mentality that allowed Real Madrid to dominate Europe.
If internal competition arises and players start seeking the spotlight for themselves, it could create major issues – potentially derailing Mbappé’s pursuit of Ronaldo’s records.
Conclusion
Records are meant to be broken, no matter how long it takes. Yet the five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo set a standard so high that many players have doubted their ability and whether they could ever come close.
Mbappe, however, is proving to be the exception. The former Monaco attacker is just five goals away from becoming France’s all-time leading scorer, the 26-year-old forward has Ronaldo’s records under threat as he continues to score at an astonishing rate for both club and country.
If he continues in this form, without hindrances, he could not only write his name into French football history but also into the history books at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pressinphoto
Recording Date: 21.12.2025
