Kylian Mbappe once again took centre stage as Real Madrid edged past Sevilla in a victory that brought both relief and debate at the Santiago Bernabéu.
On a night when whistles echoed around the stadium and Madrid’s performance drew criticism, it was the French forward who delivered the decisive moment to secure three vital points and ensure Los Blancos closed the calendar year on a winning note.
Mbappe scored Madrid’s second goal, a strike that not only sealed the win but also carried significant historical weight. With the finish, the 27-year-old reached 59 goals in the calendar year, drawing level with Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid’s highest scorer in a single year.
The moment was made even more poignant by Mbappe’s celebration. In front of the home supporters, he recreated Ronaldo’s iconic leap and shout, delivering a trademark “Siuu” that immediately evoked memories of the club’s Galáctico era.
Speaking after the match, Mbappe reflected on matching a record held by his idol and explained the meaning behind the celebration.
“It’s incredible to do this in my first year, like Cristiano, my idol and the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappe said.
“The celebration is for him. I wanted to give him a nod because he has always been good to me. He helped me adapt to Madrid, and now it’s good to help Madrid win games.
“I have a very good relationship with him. He’s my friend now, and I send my regards to him and all the Madrid fans. I wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
The night carried additional personal significance for Mbappe, as the match was played on his birthday.
“It’s a special day because it’s my birthday,” he said. “Since I was little, I’ve dreamed of playing a professional match on my birthday, especially for the team of my dreams.
“The goal was to end the year with a win.”
Despite the milestone, the atmosphere inside the stadium was not entirely positive, with sections of the crowd expressing frustration at Madrid’s recent league form. Mbappe acknowledged the mood but struck an optimistic tone.
“We’ve had difficulty winning our last few league games,” he admitted. “Now we’ll have a break to rest and spend time with our families, and we’ll come back in 2026 eager to win titles.
“We’ll start with the Spanish Super Cup, which comes quickly, and we have to be ready.”
