Mbappe Nears Cristiano Ronaldo’s Record: Ranking Real Madrid’s Best Debut Season Goal-Scorers
- French forward Kylian Mbappe is slowly justifying why Real Madrid went all out to add him to their stacked roster
- The 26-year-old has already walked his way into the annals of the club's history with 31 goals in his debut season
- YEN.com.gh looks at how his current tally, which could increase, compares to some of Mbappe's predecessors
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Could Kylian Mbappé surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's debut season goal tally for Real Madrid?
That remains the big question as the French star continues to justify why Los Blancos shelled out to bring him across from Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite a slow start to his time in Spain, Mbappe has regained his rhythm and has already surpassed the debut-season performances of some notable predecessors.
Source: Getty Images
As GOAL reported, Mbappe's brace in Madrid’s hard-fought comeback victory against Villarreal on March 15, 2025, brought him within touching distance of CR7's debut season goal tally.
He also has a chance to become the club’s highest-scoring player in a debut campaign. However, where does Mbappé stand among Real Madrid’s greatest first-season performers?
5 highest-scoring debut seasons at Real Madrid
5. Ronaldo Nazário - 30 goals
Fresh from winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, Ronaldo Nazário arrived in Madrid from Inter Milan for a then-massive €46 million.
Questions surrounding his fitness, following a severe knee injury, were answered with emphasis as he took Spanish football by storm.
The legendary striker bagged 30 goals in 44 matches, leading Los Blancos to La Liga and Intercontinental Cup triumphs in the 2002/03 campaign.
4. Kylian Mbappé - 31 goals and counting
After years of pursuit, Real Madrid finally secured Mbappé’s signature last summer. Though his initial adjustment proved challenging, he has since found his groove.
The former PSG star's recent double against Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday (March 15, 2025) propelled him past Ronaldo Nazário, taking his tally to 31 goals thus far.
He also has the chance to cap off his debut campaign with a historic treble, with La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League still within reach.
3. Ruud van Nistelrooy - 33 goals
Signed from Manchester United in 2006 for around €15 million, Ruud van Nistelrooy wasted no time making an impact.
The Dutch goal machine spearheaded Real Madrid’s attack, guiding them to La Liga glory under former coach Fabio Capello.
He clinched the La Liga Golden Boot with 25 goals plus one goal in Copa del Rey and six goals in the Champions League, taking his season total to 33 goals, per FBREF.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 33 goals
When Real Madrid splashed a then-world record €94 million to acquire Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, expectations were sky-high.
The Portuguese icon did not disappoint, producing 33 goals in 35 appearances, as indicated by Transfermarkt statistics.
Despite an early-season injury setback, CR7 showcased the immense goal-scoring prowess that made him a household name.
This was merely a glimpse of what was to come, as he would go on to shatter countless records in the years that followed.
1. Iván Zamorano - 37 goals
Before the era of Galácticos, Iván Zamorano arrived from Sevilla ahead of the 1992/93 season, eager to make his mark with his new team.
The Chilean striker quickly became a pivotal figure for Madrid, finishing as the club’s leading scorer in La Liga with 26 goals in 34 matches.
Additionally, he registered five strikes in the Copa del Rey and six in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League), according to Transfermarkt.
However, Zamorano's remarkable individual display could not help his team claim silverware, as Madrid ended the season trophyless.
Will Mbappé surpass Zamorano's Real Madrid debut?
With his current goal-scoring form, Mbappé is well on course to break new ground.
Just three more goals would see him surpass Cristiano Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy, while six more would see him match Zamorano’s all-time debut-season record.
Source: Getty Images
Considering Madrid’s involvement in multiple competitions, including the Champions League, it is entirely possible that Mbappé could finish his first campaign as the club’s highest-scoring debutant.
Mbappe dismisses Ronaldo comparisons
In a previous publication, YEN.com.gh reported that Kylian Mbappe dismissed comparisons to some of Real Madrid's biggest names, including Portuguese veteran Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although his numbers closely mirror CR7’s early days at Madrid, the Frenchman humbly downplayed any likenesses when asked about matching CR7's debut-season tally with the club.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
