Kylian Mbappé’s first season with Real Madrid has not gone according to plan, as the Spanish giants face the real possibility of ending the campaign without a major trophy.
With only six matches left to play, Real Madrid sit four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the La Liga standings. The team has already been eliminated from both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, leaving only the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, a competition that offers little consolation given their current form.
Despite the club’s collective struggles, Mbappé has shone individually. The French forward recently scored his first-ever career free-kick goal during a Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona. He also leads Real Madrid’s scoring charts this season, outperforming teammates Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham.
In a historic feat, Mbappé has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing record for most goals scored in a debut season for Real Madrid. Ronaldo had netted 33 goals in his first year with the club in 2009, but Mbappé has now scored 34 though it took him 51 appearances compared to Ronaldo’s 35 matches.
According to Marca, this achievement marks a significant personal milestone for the 25-year-old, even as Real Madrid’s season threatens to fall short of expectations.
Mbappé now has his sights set on surpassing Iván Zamorano’s debut tally of 37 goals for Los Blancos, needing just three more goals to equal the Chilean striker’s record.
However, the prospects of Mbappé challenging for the Ballon d’Or this year appear slim. Without a major trophy and following a turbulent season for both club and country, his candidacy has weakened. Emerging stars like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembélé, especially if Barcelona succeed in Europe are seen as stronger contenders for football’s most prestigious individual honor.
Unless Real Madrid manages a stunning late resurgence, Mbappé’s remarkable individual season may not be enough to secure the accolades many had predicted.
