Mbappé: Cristiano Ronaldo “still number one” at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe said Cristiano Ronaldo is still number one at Real Madrid. Mbappe has always idolized the Portuguese striker and said he considers him his role model. 

Ronaldo scored 450 goals in nine seasons at Los Blancos between 2009 and 2018, winning 16 trophies, including four Champions League titles. The talismanic forward delivered in big matches for the La Liga giants and has definitely inspired a new generation of footballers.

Meanwhile, the French striker scored 44 goals for Madrid in his debut season, whereas he has netted 14 times in the ongoing edition.

“Cristiano has always been a role model for me,” Mbappé told Movistar in an

interview broadcast on Sunday. “I’m lucky enough to talk to him, he gives me advice, he’s helped me. I think in Madrid he’s still the number one. He’s the reference point for Real Madrid players, who’s done a lot. The fans still dream about Cristiano. But I want to follow my own path.”

Real Madrid are at the top of the La Liga standings but suffered an ignominious 5-2 loss against Atletico Madrid last month. Mbappe admitted his team was not at their best in the derby clash.

“They [Atletico] came to play a derby, and us… we did too, but without putting any intensity into the duels, the crosses,” Mbappé said on Sunday. “They won all the duels. It’s hard to win a game like that.”

Meanwhile, Mbappe tipped Spain as the best team in Europe but said playing in the World Cup is a different curry.

“For me, [Spain] are the best team in Europe right now,” Mbappé — who won the 2018 World Cup, and was a runner-up in 2022 — said. “But the World Cup is different.”

The French international also squashed reports of any differences between him and his teammate Vinicius Jr.

“Two famous players in the same team — that sells newspapers,” Mbappé said, when asked about Vinícius. “But the truth is I have a very good relationship with Vinicius. It’s much better this year, because we know each other better.”