Mbappé Vibes: Ronaldo Is My North Star, Playing With Messi Was a Gift, Madrid Mayhem Ahead

Mbappé: Ronaldo Is My Idol, Playing with Messi Is a Blessing

French international Kylian Mbappé, the Real Madrid star, says Cristiano Ronaldo remains the model he looks up to and a source of guidance. In an interview with Movistar, Mbappé emphasized that Ronaldo has always been a benchmark for him, offering advice and support as he navigates the pressures of top-level football. He believes Ronaldo is the king in Madrid’s history and the reference point for the club.

Madrid fans still dream of Ronaldo’s era, Mbappé noted, but he also hopes to carve out his own path and imagines a moment when fans will dream of him in the same light—a moment that would feel historic for both him and Real Madrid. Ronaldo is the club’s all-time top scorer and helped Real Madrid win a plethora of domestic and European titles.

On the matter of sharing the pitch with another legend, Lionel Messi, at Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé called the experience a true blessing. He admitted he never expected to play with Messi; his dream had always been to play for Real Madrid and he never imagined himself at Barcelona.

Mbappé and Messi shared two seasons together in PSG after Messi’s departure from Barcelona, a chapter Mbappé describes as surreal and incredibly rewarding. The French star’s journey has not been without obstacles, however, as injuries sometimes interrupted his momentum and forced him to adapt his rhythm for both club and country.

Mistakes and setbacks have also shaped his path. Mbappé suffered an ankle problem with the French national team that sidelined him from a key qualification match against Iceland, prompting a return to club duties for continued treatment. In the France camp, coach Didier Deschamps named a new captain for the upcoming match vs Iceland, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan taking the armband in Mbappé’s absence. Deschamps confirmed Maignan would wear the captaincy against Iceland the next day.

Mbappé’s injury problems aren’t new. Since 2019 he has battled recurring muscle issues, including a thigh problem that sidelined him for weeks, and later muscular fatigue during Euro 2020 and at the 2022 World Cup. In 2023-2024 the pattern persisted, raising concerns for Real Madrid after his transfer. Medical staff at both the national team and the club have worked to manage his minutes and reduce risk of burnout, sometimes keeping him out of international blocks in agreement with the player and his club.

Despite the concerns, Mbappé remains determined to cement his status as a footballing icon. His quest to win the Ballon d’Or and lead his team to major trophies continues to be the central focus as he carries Real Madrid’s ambitions forward.

Beyond injuries, Mbappé extended his impressive streak by continuing to find the back of the net. He reached ten consecutive appearances with goals for both club and country, totaling 14 goals and 4 assists, and he also climbed to 53 international goals for France. He is pushing hard to become France’s all-time top scorer, closing the gap to Olivier Giroud to just four goals.

Since moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, Mbappé has been at the center of global football chatter. He quickly clicked with Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, forming a potent attacking trio and becoming Real Madrid’s leading scorer with 44 goals in last season across competitions, earning the European Golden Shoe in the process.

What sets Mbappé apart isn’t only the volume of goals, but his influence in big matches, including Clasico showdowns with Barcelona and crucial Champions League ties against teams like Manchester City. He has become a symbol of Real Madrid’s project under president Florentino Pérez, aimed at building a golden generation to reclaim European dominance.

With such form, Mbappé seems poised to author a new chapter in Real Madrid’s storied history and to emerge as a leading Ballon d’Or contender. The road to football’s ultimate crown appears increasingly within reach for a player who is both prodigy and leader in equal measure.

Punchlines for good measure: If Mbappé keeps scoring at this rate, the Ballon d’Or may need a bigger trophy room. And if defense keeps letting him through, Real Madrid might need to start charging rent for every goal he bags—the rent would be worth it for the network of nets he’s turning into the most frequently used rooms in town.