Kylian Mbappe vs Cristiano Ronaldo vs Karim Benzema vs Ronaldo Nazario: Real Madrid strikers’ goal record after 16 matches shows clear winner
Has Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe lived up to the standards of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Ronaldo Nazario after his first 16 games at the club? The French forward arrived in the Spanish capital this season after a protracted transfer saga on a free transfer, but his performances so far have attracted criticism from sections of fans.
Mbappe joined the 15-time Champions League winners after establishing himself as a legend in his homeland. He bagged 256 goals in 308 games to become Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) highest-ever goalscorer, and has managed eight goals and two assists from his first 16 games for Los Blancos.
His countryman Karim Benzema joined the Spanish giants from Olympique Lyon in 2009 for a reported €35 million fee. In his first 16 games, Benzema had registered five goals and four assists. He went on to score 354 goals and provide 165 assists in 648 games for the club.
Ronaldo Nazario joined the iconic Madrid-based side during the Galactico era from Inter Milan in the summer of 2002 for a reported €45 million fee. He scored seven and assisted four in his first 16 games. However, he was bettered by former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who bagged 13 goals and one assist in his first 16 games.
Every player's record after their first 16 games at Real Madrid falls short of the record held by the most outstanding player in their history, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese marvel bagged a phenomenal 15 goals and two assists in his first 16 games after joining from the Red Devils in a reported €90 million deal in the summer of 2009.
"I think he will do well because of the structure of the club" - Cristiano Ronaldo on Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been hailed by Cristiano Ronaldo and tipped to achieve great things at the club due to their structure. The Portuguese star spent nine years with the Spanish giants and left as the club's leading goalscorer with 450 strikes (438 games).
Mbappe arrived at the club this summer from PSG on a free transfer to the team that won LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League last season, along with Supercopa de Espana. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner tipped Kylian Mbappe to follow in his footsteps, saying (via GOAL):
"I think he will do well because of the structure of the club ... it's nice, it's good, it's solid. They have a great coach and the president who has been there for many many years. I think it won't be a big problem because of his talent. He has shown what he is capable of doing. In my opinion, he can be the next Golden Ball [Ballon d'Or] winner."
Kylian Mbappe will hope to live up to the high expectations at Real Madrid following his arrival. He will be keen to match or at least come close to Cristiano Ronaldo's immense legacy at the club in the coming years.
