Mbappe: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Still Number One At Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe always asks for advice from Cristiano Ronaldo in order to follow in the footsteps at Real Madrid (Instagram/@realmadrid).

JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe said Cristiano Ronaldo was still number one at Real Madrid. He called the club's all-time leading goalscorer a role model.

In addition, Mbappe acknowledged that he had sought advice from the Al Nassr star.

Ronaldo - one of Mbappe's childhood idols - scored 450 goals in nine seasons at Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018 and won 16 trophies including four Champions Leagues.

Mbappe now hopes to follow in his footsteps. In his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu, 2024/2025, he has scored 44 goals. Now, he has scored 14 goals this season.

"Cristiano has always been a role model for me. I was lucky enough to be able to talk to him, he gave me advice, he has helped me."

"I think at Real Madrid he is still number one. He is a reference for Real Madrid players, who have done a lot. The fans still dream of Cristiano. However, I want to follow my own path," Mbappe told Movistar in an interview on Sunday, October 12, 2025, local time.

Despite Mbappe scoring, Real Madrid ended last season without winning a single trophy.

They are currently at the top of the La Liga standings after eight games, two points ahead of Barcelona, despite suffering a 2-5 defeat in derby against Atletico Madrid last month.

"They (Atletico Madrid) came to play derby. We did too, but without giving any intensity in the duel, cross."

"They won all the duels. It was difficult to win a game like that," Mbappe continued.

Meanwhile, Mbappe scored for the French National Team (Timnas) in a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the European Zone on Saturday, October 11, 2025 WIB.

However, he was replaced at the last minute with an ankle injury, after suffering a similar injury with Real Madrid last weekend.

France is among the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, but Mbappe admits he sees Spain as a serious competitor.

"For me, (Spain) is the best team in Europe today. However, the World Cup is different," said Mbappe - who won the 2018 World Cup and runner-up in 2022.

Apart from that, at Real Madrid, Mbappe's relationship with his teammate, Vinicius Junior, received a sharp spotlight.

Some have questioned whether the two attackers who prefer to play on the left can join the same team. However, Mbappe immediately dismissed this assumption.

"Two famous players in a team -- it's like selling newspapers. However, I actually have a very good relationship with Vinicius."

"It's much better this year because we know each other better," Mbappe said when asked about Vin totaling.