Carlo Ancelotti Rates Kylian Mbappe’s Chance of Matching Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe’s Hat-Trick Against Manchester City

Real Madrid’s French superstar Kylian Mbappe delivered an unforgettable performance against Manchester City, scoring a hat-trick that sent his team to the next round of the Champions League. The match was a defining moment in his career at Real Madrid, proving that he has the potential to dominate European football just like Cristiano Ronaldo did during his tenure in Madrid.

Despite experiencing a somewhat slow start to his Real Madrid career, Mbappe has showcased his incredible ability, particularly in 2025. His form has been nothing short of remarkable, and his performance against Manchester City was a turning point that highlighted his potential to reach the legendary status of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Carlo Ancelotti on Kylian Mbappe’s Potential

After the thrilling victory over Manchester City, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was asked about Mbappe’s ability to match the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo at the club. The Italian tactician acknowledged the talent and potential of Mbappe but also emphasized the challenge of reaching Ronaldo’s level.

“Mbappe has a lot of quality and can match Cristiano, yes, but Cristiano set the bar very high,” said Ancelotti. “Mbappe is just starting out at Madrid, he’s enthusiastic. But it’s not going to be that easy for Mbappe to reach Cristiano’s level; he has to work.”

Ancelotti further praised the team effort, highlighting that Real Madrid is not just about one player but a collective unit that works together to achieve greatness.

“Everyone was waiting for this hat-trick from him, and it has finally arrived. But Mbappe is not the only one. We have many players who make a difference, and they do so through their collective work and individual quality.”

Comparing Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo

The inevitable comparison between Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo has intensified following the Frenchman’s stunning performance. Since joining Real Madrid, Mbappe has scored 27 goals in 37 games, a tally that closely mirrors Ronaldo’s debut season in 2009/10, when he netted 33 goals in 35 appearances.

At the age of 26, Mbappe is just one year older than Ronaldo was in his first season at Real Madrid. However, matching the Portuguese icon’s long-term legacy will be an enormous challenge. Ronaldo went on to score an astonishing 450 goals for Los Blancos, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer before moving to Juventus in 2018.

If Mbappe aims to reach Ronaldo’s goal tally, he would need to average 50 goals per season and stay at Real Madrid until at least the age of 34. Given his current form, this goal is not entirely out of reach, but maintaining such an elite level of performance over the next decade is no easy task.

Mbappe’s Path to Becoming a Real Madrid Legend

While Mbappe’s journey at Real Madrid is still in its early stages, his potential is undeniable. His pace, finishing ability, and football intelligence make him one of the most dangerous forwards in world football. If he continues to develop under Ancelotti‘s guidance and remains injury-free, he could well establish himself as a Real Madrid legend.

The expectations on Mbappe are sky-high, but if he continues performing at this level, the comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo will only grow stronger. Whether he can surpass Ronaldo’s incredible records remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Mbappe has already cemented himself as one of the most exciting talents in Real Madrid‘s history.

Conclusion

Carlo Ancelotti‘s confidence in Kylian Mbappe speaks volumes about the French forward’s immense talent and potential. While reaching Cristiano Ronaldo’s level will be a monumental challenge, Mbappe has all the tools necessary to carve out his own legacy at Real Madrid. With continued dedication and performances like his recent hat-trick against Manchester City, he could very well be on his way to becoming one of the greatest players of all time.

The debate over whether Mbappe can match or surpass Ronaldo’s legacy will continue, but for now, Real Madrid fans can simply enjoy witnessing the rise of a new superstar at the Santiago Bernabeu.