Kylian Mbappe Nears Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid Record in Stunning 2026 Form

As I lace up my boots in the hallowed halls of the Santiago Bernabeu, a sense of history hangs in the air. The year is 2026, and the final echoes of the midweek Copa del Rey clash against Talavera still reverberate. With two more strikes added to my tally, I find myself standing on the precipice of something monumental, a record etched by a legend I once idolized from afar. Cristiano Ronaldo's name is synonymous with this club, and his mark of 59 goals in a single calendar year, set back in 2013, has long seemed an untouchable peak. Now, with 59 club goals of my own this year, I need just one more to equal it, and only one more match to potentially surpass it. The weight of expectation is immense, but it's a pressure I've learned to wear as comfortably as the famous white shirt.

This entire journey has been a whirlwind. When I arrived at Real Madrid, the expectations were sky-high. Yet, something truly clicked at the start of 2025. I felt a transformation, a settling into the role of the talisman this great club demands. The goals, they started flowing with a natural, almost instinctive rhythm. Finding the back of the net became less of a conscious effort and more of a reflex, a pure expression of joy on the pitch. Including my efforts for the French national team, I've entered the pantheon of the sport's most prolific scorers, sitting ninth on the all-time list for most goals in a calendar year. It’s a humbling and electrifying thought, to see my name alongside such historic figures.

The man guiding this latest chapter of my career is Xabi Alonso. His belief in me has been unwavering. After the Talavera match, where I played longer than some might have expected against lower-league opposition, he was fiercely protective. He called me 'decisive,' a label that carries weight coming from a footballing mind as sharp as his. His vision for the team, his tactical nous, and his calm demeanor have been pivotal. We've faced our challenges this 2025/26 season—it hasn't always been smooth sailing—but under his stewardship, I've managed to notch 28 goals across all competitions already. The trust between a manager and his forward is sacred, and ours is a partnership built on mutual respect and a shared, burning desire for glory.

Now, all focus shifts to one final, colossal challenge before the winter respite: Sevilla at home this Saturday. The narrative writes itself. A record within touching distance, a fierce rival standing in our way, and a need to close the gap on Barcelona at the summit of La Liga. Hansi Flick's side currently holds a four-point advantage, making this match doubly crucial. It won't be a simple task; Sevilla, even in ninth, are a formidable and proud side. They will defend with grit and attack with purpose. To break the record and help my team, I know I must be at my absolute peak—sharp, clinical, and relentless.

The atmosphere in the dressing room is one of focused intensity. My teammates, warriors like Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and the evergreen Toni Kroos, understand the moment. We are not just playing for three points; we are playing to chase down our rivals and to etch a new line in the storied history of Real Madrid. The support from the Madridistas is a tangible force, a roar that pushes you forward when your legs feel heavy.

As I reflect on this year, the numbers tell a story:

• 59 Club Goals (2025): One away from Cristiano Ronaldo's club record.

• 28 Goals (2025/26 Season): A blistering start to the current campaign.

• Top 10 All-Time: Ranked 9th for most goals in a calendar year including international duty.

But beyond the statistics, it's about the feeling. The feeling of connection with this club, its history, and its people. To be mentioned in the same breath as Ronaldo here is an honor I never take for granted. He was the ultimate benchmark, the epitome of consistency and lethal finishing. Now, with 90 minutes standing between me and his hallowed mark, the only thing on my mind is giving everything for the badge on my chest.

Saturday can't come soon enough. The stage is set at the Bernabeu. The record beckons. The title race demands it. This is why I came to Madrid—for nights like these, where history is waiting to be written. I am ready.