Kylian Mbapp added his name to another line in the record books on Saturday, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year.
The France star converted a penalty in the 86th minute against Sevilla in their final LaLiga game of 2025 to match Ronaldo's record mark of 59 goals set in 2013.
He marked the achievement by hitting Ronaldo's trademark "Siu" celebration.
"A special day," Mbapp 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 honour 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."
Mbapp played the full 90 minutes and scored twice in Madrid's 3-2 Copa del Rey win over Talavera on Wednesday, taking him to within one goal of Ronaldo's total with one game remaining.
His goal Saturday was his 29th in all competitions 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.
"With his ambition, his statistics ... he's among a chosen few," Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said earlier this month about Mbapp, who has a LaLiga-leading 18 goals this season.
"Working with him on a daily basis is great. His desire to influence others, his contagious energy, is something he shares with Cristiano. There, I see similarities.
"Cristiano is Cristiano, and Kylian is Kylian. They're both exceptional. We're very lucky to have Kylian, and we have to make the most of it."
Information from ESPN's Alex Kirkland and ESPN Research was used in this report.
