Carlo Ancelotti: Mbappe Can Reach Cristiano Ronaldo's Level

Carlo Ancelotti predicts Kylian Mbappe can catch Cristiano Ronaldo's record at Real Madrid if he continues to be consistent (Instagram/@realmadrid).

JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe became an important actor who brought Real Madrid to beat Manchester City in the knockout phase of the Champions League.

He scored one goal in a 3-2 win in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium last week. Then, he got crazier by scoring a hat trick in a 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg, Thursday, February 20, 2025, early morning WIB.

The three additional goals made his collection now 27 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions since being brought in in the middle of last year.

No wonder, Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti put Mbappe's name next to another Bernabeu superstar after the game.

The Italian coach said that the French player could reach the club legend's record, Cristiano Ronaldo, if he continued to be on this track.

"He has the quality to reach the level of Cristiano (Ronaldo). He has to work hard. Cristiano has set a very high standard."

"He has started his career at this club now. I think with the quality and joy he has while playing here, he can reach the level of Cristiano."

"However, it will not be easy. He must try hard to achieve it," said Ancelotti after the match against Manchester City, Thursday, February 20, 2025, early morning WIB.

Mbappe was criticized for a slow start when he joined Real Madrid last summer.

However, now he has proven himself that his performance has returned. In total, he has scored 17 goals in La Liga, only losing to Robert Lewandowski (20 goals/Barcelona) in the top score list.

While in the Champions League, Mbappe has scored seven goals. He has the same collection as his colleagues, Vinicius Junior, and Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich).

Mbappe is a threat to temporarily packaging the Champions League's most goals, Serhou Guirassy (10 goals/Burussia Dortmund).

In fact, the 26-year-old striker could have passed Erling Haaland (8 goals) if he added another goal in the next match.

Currently in the Champions League, there is also the name Robert Lewandowski with nine goals and Raphinha (Barcelona) who scored eight goals in the list of the top goalscorers.

However, Mbappe did not want to be aimed at goals for goals. The most important thing is to bring Real Madrid to win as many trophies as possible in his first season at Bernabeu.