Xabi Alonso believes Kylian Mbappé is on track to make history at Real Madrid just like Cristiano Ronaldo, praising the French forward’s ambition, numbers and leadership while stressing that both stars are exceptional in their own unique way.
Xabi Alonso, now at the helm of Real Madrid, took to the press room ahead of the league clash with Celta Vigo on matchday 15 and inevitably faced a question that every coach in the Spanish capital seems destined to hear at some point.
With Kylian Mbappé finally wearing the white shirt and already establishing himself as the new face of the project, reporters invited Alonso to compare the French superstar with Cristiano Ronaldo, the club legend who defined an entire era at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Calm and measured as always, Alonso did not shy away from the topic. He underlined that Kylian Mbappé is on a clear path to making history at Real Madrid, in a way that recalls what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved during his glittering spell in Spain. In the coach’s view, the French forward has all the ingredients needed to become one of the club’s greats: ambition, consistency, and the ability to produce extraordinary numbers season after season.
Alonso stressed that Mbappé belongs to a very small group of players capable of deciding games almost at will. He described the forward as being among the chosen few, those rare footballers who combine physical power, technical brilliance and a ruthless instinct in front of goal. For Alonso, what stands out is not only Mbappé’s goals and assists, but also the attitude he brings to Valdebebas every single day. The coach highlighted how enjoyable it is to work with the Frenchman on a daily basis, praising his professionalism in training, his competitiveness in every drill and his readiness to take responsibility when it matters.
One of the aspects Alonso picked out as a key similarity between Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo is their influence on those around them. He noted that Mbappé’s desire to push his teammates, to set standards and to inspire the group, is contagious inside the dressing room. According to the coach, this drive to influence the team dynamic mirrors what Cristiano did in his time at Madrid, when his obsession with winning and scoring constantly raised the bar for everyone else. In that sense, Alonso sees clear parallels between the two: both are natural leaders through their performances and mentality, even if their personalities and playing styles are not identical.
When journalists pressed him to make a direct choice between Cristiano and Mbappé, Alonso offered a diplomatic but meaningful response. He made it clear that Cristiano is Cristiano and Kylian is Kylian. In other words, both occupy their own space in football’s elite. The coach emphasised that they are separate figures, each with a unique story, but both exceptional and operating at the very top level of the game. Rather than ranking them, he preferred to underline Real Madrid’s good fortune in having had Cristiano in the past and in having Mbappé now, insisting that the club must take full advantage of the Frenchman while he is in his prime.
Alonso’s words also reflected a broader perspective on Real Madrid’s identity. Over the last few decades, the club has built a tradition of assembling the very best attacking talents in world football, from the original Galácticos era to the Cristiano Ronaldo years and now to the Mbappé era. The coach’s comments suggested that Mbappé is seen not simply as another star signing, but as a central pillar in the club’s sporting project, someone capable of leading Madrid through a new cycle of success both in La Liga and in the Champions League.
Beyond the comparisons, the press conference also served to frame the importance of the upcoming match against Celta de Vigo. Alonso hinted that having a player like Mbappé changes the way opponents prepare for Real Madrid. Celta, fighting for precious points in a demanding league, know that a single moment of brilliance from the Frenchman can tilt the entire game. His presence stretches defences, opens space for teammates like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo or Jude Bellingham, and forces rival coaches to adjust their entire game plan.
In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo now plays his football far from the Bernabéu lights, at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Yet his shadow still looms large in Madrid’s history. Between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, the Portuguese forward shattered record after record with the merengue shirt, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer and lifting multiple Champions League trophies. For many fans, Cristiano defined what it meant to be Real Madrid’s main star in the modern era. Alonso’s remarks recognised that legacy while also opening the door for Mbappé to write his own chapter, rather than live permanently in Cristiano’s shadow.
The parallel stories of Cristiano and Mbappé therefore meet at a symbolic crossroads in Madrid. One has already completed his cycle at the Bernabéu, leaving behind a monumental legacy. The other is at the beginning of his journey with the club, with the opportunity to chase records, titles and a place among the legends. Xabi Alonso’s comments captured that narrative perfectly: respect for what Cristiano achieved, belief in what Mbappé can still achieve, and an awareness that Real Madrid thrives when players of this calibre wear the white shirt.
As Real Madrid prepare to face Celta de Vigo, the focus will naturally be on the three points at stake. But in the background, the bigger story continues to grow. Every goal Mbappé scores, every decisive performance he delivers, adds another line to a career that his coach believes can echo the greatness of Cristiano Ronaldo. For a club that lives on history and ambition, there could hardly be a more exciting prospect.
