Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed confidence that Kylian Mbappe has the potential to become a club legend, similar to the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Ancelotti praised the 26-year-old French striker, who has already equaled Ronaldo’s impressive tally of 33 goals in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe, who idolized Ronaldo growing up, joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and quickly made his mark. “What I wish for Mbappe is that he is capable of achieving what Ronaldo did at Real Madrid — and I think that he can do it,” Ancelotti stated. “That means he will be a legend at Real Madrid, just like Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Manchester United, left the club in 2018 as their all-time top scorer with 450 goals. Mbappe’s recent performance, including scoring a brace against Leganes in La Liga, brought him closer to Ronaldo’s early milestone at the club. He expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, saying, “We know what he means for Real Madrid, and me, we speak, he gives me a lot of advice.”
With Real Madrid still battling on three fronts this season, Mbappe has ample opportunity to further cement his legacy. The team will face Real Sociedad in a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Tuesday, where they hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
Ancelotti also spoke about the importance of the match and the motivation it provides for the team. “To be close to a final motivates me, it motivates the players, and it motivates the club,” he said. “It’s an achievement to play in a final in any competition, so to be so close, to have a small advantage, and because we’ll have the support of our fans, obviously motivates us even more.”
Should Madrid go on to win the Copa del Rey, Ancelotti will make history as the club’s first coach to win the prestigious cup three times.
