Kylian Mbappé has achieved a significant milestone by playing 100 matches for Real Madrid, albeit during a challenging period for the LaLiga side.
The forward is leading the scoring charts for Los Blancos this season, but despite his efforts, the team has not secured any titles. Under the direction of Álvaro Arbeloa, they have been knocked out of both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, and they currently sit 11 points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona with five matches remaining.
Nonetheless, in terms of his primary task of scoring, Mbappé has excelled, and his contributions are comparable to many of the club’s legendary figures.
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Mbappé’s First 100 Matches with Real Madrid
Throughout his first 100 matches for Real Madrid, Mbappé has netted 85 goals, scoring in every tournament he has participated in. With 10 assists, he has been involved in 95 goals during this period, accounting for 33% of the team’s overall scoring since his arrival.
Specifically, Mbappé has scored 55 goals in LaLiga, 22 in the Champions League, 4 in the Copa del Rey, 3 in the Spanish Supercopa, and one in each of the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
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Kylian Mbappé receives the European Golden Boot for the 2024-2025 season
Kylian Mbappé is awarded the European Golden Boot at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mbappé’s Mixed Experience in Madrid
Even though he stands out as the club’s premier talent, Real Madrid’s disappointing performance since his arrival has overshadowed the French captain’s individual successes. During his tenure, the team has only secured the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, both won last season.
Nonetheless, for the second year running, Mbappé is atop the scoring charts for Madrid and is on track to defend his Pichichi title, having scored 24 goals this season. Additionally, he leads the Champions League scoring race with 15 goals, outpacing Harry Kane, who has 12, as his Bayern Munich prepares for the semifinals.
Currently, Mbappé is experiencing a downturn at the Bernabéu. He has gone scoreless in four of his last five LaLiga matches, prompting some concern among Real Madrid supporters about his situation, especially given the title drought and ongoing issues related to a left knee injury he has been dealing with. Reports indicate there was a diagnostic miscommunication, causing discontent within the club regarding the information coming from France.
Since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, he has struggled to shine in crucial matches against top rivals. With Mbappé in the lineup, Real Madrid has managed just one victory against Barcelona, suffering five defeats in El Clásico. Additionally, against Atlético Madrid, they boast two wins (including one game where Mbappé came off the bench), one draw, and two losses.
Comparing Mbappé’s First 100 Games to Madrid Legends
After his initial 100 matches for Real Madrid, Mbappé’s performance positions him among the club’s all-time top scorers, having surpassed legends like Karim Benzema, Hugo Sánchez, and Ronaldo Nazário, coming close to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s record.
When examining Mbappé’s statistics against the legendary scorers in Real Madrid’s history, his total ranks highly. He is outperformed only by Ferenc Puskás’ 100 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 95, and Prudencio Sánchez and Pahiño’s 86. However, his 85 goals place him above notable names such as Alfredo Di Stéfano (83) and Hugo Sánchez (71).
For context, Karim Benzema required 210 matches to achieve his 100th goal for Real Madrid. Despite currently dealing with a hamstring injury sustained during a recent match against Real Betis, putting his availability for the upcoming Clásico on May 10 in question, Mbappé is on pace to reach 100 goals before the end of the year.
This article was originally published in Spanish by ESPN Deportes