Cristiano Ronaldo aimed a dig at Kylian Mbappe when discussing how he has adapted to life at Real Madrid this season.
Mbappé Follows Ronaldo’s Path to Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé has officially fulfilled his dream of joining Real Madrid, following in the footsteps of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo. The French forward joined Los Blancos on a free transfer after allowing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain to expire.
Upon his arrival, Mbappé took the No.9 shirt, the same number Ronaldo first wore when he signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record £80 million from Manchester United.
Mixed Start at Madrid
Mbappé has had a solid start in Spain, scoring 22 goals in 34 matches across all competitions. However, he initially faced criticism for struggling to adapt, particularly during Real Madrid’s early-season struggles. Some argued that his presence disrupted the team’s balance, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side had previously won the Champions League without a traditional striker.
Ronaldo Backs Mbappé
In a recent interview with Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Ronaldo came to Mbappé’s defense, calling on Madrid fans to support him.
“Look after the lad,” Ronaldo urged. “The fans need to support him. He’s an incredible player, and the club must protect him. I have no doubt he’ll bring a lot of joy to Madrid fans.”
Ronaldo also acknowledged their personal connection, saying:
“I love Mbappé—not just because he admired me as a kid, but because I genuinely believe he’s a world-class player.”
With the backing of one of Real Madrid’s greatest legends, Mbappé will be hoping to fully establish himself as the club’s next superstar.
Ronaldo Weighs in on Mbappé’s Role at Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé prefers playing on the left wing, but with Vinícius Jr. already occupying that position at Real Madrid, he has mostly been deployed as a center forward since joining the club.
This transition mirrors Cristiano Ronaldo’s evolution at Madrid—he arrived as a wide player but later adapted into a goal-scoring forward. However, Ronaldo believes Mbappé is not naturally suited for the role and lacks the necessary instincts to excel as a No.9.
Ronaldo: ‘I Would Have Taught Him’
In his interview with El Chiringuito, Ronaldo shared his thoughts on Mbappé’s adjustment:
“It’s complicated because, in my opinion, he doesn’t fully understand how to play as a center forward—or rather, it’s not his natural position,” Ronaldo said.
“If I were at Madrid, I would teach him how to play as a No.9. I wasn’t a striker myself when I arrived—I adapted, but I was originally a winger. People forget that. I became a forward, but not a traditional one. I think Mbappé should also play in his own unique way, not as a typical No.9.”
Real Madrid’s Recent Struggles
Mbappé and Madrid will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Espanyol, a result that has left them just one point ahead of city rivals Atlético Madrid in the league standings.
Their next opportunity to regain momentum comes on Wednesday, when they take on Leganés in the Copa del Rey.