'It's special' to equal Ronaldo's Madrid goal record, says Mbappe

MADRID — Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe said it was special to match Cristiano Ronaldo's first season tally of 33 goals for Los Blancos, after netting a brace on Saturday against Leganes in La Liga.

Mbappe's double took him to 33 strikes in 44 appearances across all competitions, the same number of goals that his idol managed in the 2009-10 campaign.

Ronaldo, who joined from Manchester United, went on to become Real Madrid's all-time top scorer with 450 goals.

"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."

Mbappe dinked a perfect Panenka penalty down the middle to open the scoring, and then, after Madrid fell behind, completed his side's comeback, scoring from a freekick in the 3-2 triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The win took Madrid level with leader Barcelona at the top of the table.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Mbappe's display, with the forward in sparkling form after an inconsistent start to life at Madrid following his move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

"He's doing very well, he's a lot more active and present in (the team's) play," Ancelotti told reporters. "He's making the difference, and that's what we want from him."

Previously Ancelotti suggested Mbappe could live up to Ronaldo's legacy at Madrid, but only with a lot of hard work.

"He has the quality to reach his numbers, but he has to work, because Cristiano set the bar very high, but he is so excited to play here, he can reach Cristiano's level," said Ancelotti in February, after Mbappe netted a hat-trick against Manchester City.

Fighting spirit

Ancelotti also acknowledged that his side lacked balance, and struggled to take control against lowly Leganes, but praised its intensity in fighting back.

The Italian said his players put in a good performance for a victory that moved the side level on points with La Liga leader Barcelona, despite defensive lapses that saw it concede two goals and head into the break trailing 2-1.

"I don't think we played a bad game. We had control, but what we lacked was balance, which is why we conceded two goals," Ancelotti said. "They hurt us on the counter and, losing possession, we suffered. We could have managed the lead better. With the 3-2 scoreline, we also struggled, but that's how it is after the international break. It takes time to find our rhythm.

"After the penalty, we could have managed things better. The team was not well positioned, and we conceded," added Ancelotti.

He insisted there was not a lack of focus from his team, and said suffering to secure wins is part of the game.

"We had the intensity. We showed it in the second half and managed to turn the game around," he said.

"You have to suffer. I don't remember a game where we haven't suffered. What matters is suffering together. When sacrifices have to be made, we all make them.

"Football matches are like this, there is no such thing as an easy game, and we are fully aware of that."

Agencies