Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, believes Kylian Mbappe can follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps and become a club legend.
The France international of Cameroonian heritage who joined Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, despite the initial struggles, has scored 33 goals in all competitions.
Mbappe has equalled the tally Ronaldo reached in his first year at the Bernabeu in 2009/10.
Mbappe scored twice on Saturday as Madrid came from behind to beat Leganes and remain three points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
“It’s difficult but I wish Mbappe to match Ronaldo at Real Madrid for a long time, of course,” said Madrid head coach Ancelotti.
“He has the quality to make it, I hope he becomes a legend of this club. He can do it. Cristiano’s impact here was more than goals.”
After the win on Sunday, Mbappe said after the win over Leganes that he gets “advice” from Ronaldo.
“It’s very special…to have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.
“We know what he means for Real Madrid and me. We speak, he gives me a lot of advice, he scored many goals – but we have to win trophies here.”
Ronaldo joined Madrid in 2009 from Manchester United and went on to become one of the club’s greatest-ever players.
He is Madrid’s all-time leading scorer with 450 goals in 438 appearances and won the UEFA Champions League four times during his nine seasons at the club.
