Kylian Mbappé added his name to another line in the record books Saturday, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s final game of the year.
He marked the achievement, which came on his 27th birthday, with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark “Siu” goal celebration before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
“A special day,” Mbappé said. “We won the game, which was important — that was the objective. With the record, it’s incredible in my first year doing what Cristiano did, the best player in Real Madrid’s history, a role model in world football.
“It’s an honor for me. He’s always been affectionate to me, talking to me about Madrid and how to adapt. I’m very happy now to score goals for Real Madrid.
“[The celebration] was for him. I have my own usually, but I wanted to share it with him today. He was my idol as a kid, I have a good relationship with him, and he’s my friend now.”
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in summer 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, putting him into a tie with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane for most goals by a player from a club in Europe’s top five leagues.
“I congratulate him, and I encourage him to start 2026 well,” Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said of Mbappé, who also has a LaLiga-leading 18 goals this season.
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute to give Madrid the lead on Saturday before Sevilla lost defender Marcão to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
The win will do little to ease the pressure on Alonso, with the team underperforming despite three consecutive wins this week.
“We know the moment we’re in,” Alonso said. “We’re demanding and self-critical to play better, we know this isn’t our level and we want to improve. … The priority was to win, but obviously some things didn’t go as we wanted.”
Madrid sit a point behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona ahead of the Catalan club’s match with Villarreal on Sunday.
Information from ESPN’s Alex Kirkland, ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.
