Kylian Mbappe vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Comparing Real Madrid Stars at 26
Kylian Mbappe has always idolized Cristiano Ronaldo and now finds himself following in the footsteps of the Real Madrid legend. As Mbappe begins his journey with Los Blancos, comparisons to Ronaldo are inevitable. How do their careers at 26 stack up?
Ronaldo at 26
By 26, Ronaldo had played 471 games for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Portugal, scoring 213 goals and assisting 89. His tally included 24 free-kick goals, 29 penalties, and six hat-tricks. He had netted 135 league goals, 27 in the Champions League, and 25 for Portugal.
Ronaldo had already secured an impressive trophy haul: one Portuguese Super Cup, three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Champions League, and a FIFA Club World Cup. He also earned prestigious individual awards, including a Ballon d’Or, a European Golden Shoe, and multiple Premier League Player of the Season honours.
Mbappe at 26
Mbappe turned 26 in December, boasting superior statistics to Ronaldo at the same age. With 477 appearances, he had scored 344 goals and provided 163 assists. Unlike Ronaldo, he had no free-kick goals but had converted 48 penalties and recorded 19 hat-tricks. His goals-per-game ratio of 0.72 far surpassed Ronaldo’s 0.45.
By then, Mbappe had won seven Ligue 1 titles, four Coupes de France, and an Intercontinental Cup. Most notably, he had already won a FIFA World Cup with France, an achievement that eluded Ronaldo. He also claimed multiple Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards and a World Cup Golden Boot. However, he had yet to win the Ballon d’Or or the Champions League, which were key milestones in Ronaldo’s career.
What’s Next for Mbappe?
Ronaldo’s numbers exploded after turning 26, as he became Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer and claimed four more Ballon d’Or trophies. His goal tally in his 30s exceeded his total in his 20s.
Mbappe, meanwhile, is adjusting to life in Madrid. He scored 14 goals in his first 15 games post-birthday and has netted 27 in 37 appearances this season, including a crucial hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League. If he continues on this trajectory, he may yet rival his idol’s legendary career.
