Kylian Mbappe once again stood at the centre of attention as Real Madrid edged past Sevilla in a victory that generated as much debate as relief.
On a night where the performance raised eyebrows and whistles echoed around the stadium, it was the French forward who provided the decisive moment and ensured Los Blancos ended the year with three vital points.
Mbappe scored Madrid’s second goal of the evening, a strike that ultimately sealed the win. Beyond its importance in the match, the goal carried huge symbolic weight.
With that 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 striking by Mbappe’s celebration.
In front of the Madrid supporters, he recreated Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic leap and shout, delivering a full-throated “SIIIIIIIIIIU” that instantly sparked memories of the club’s Galactico era.
Mbappe takes the stage
Speaking after the match, Mbappe explained exactly what the moment meant to him and why he chose that celebration. Reflecting on matching a record held by his idol, he said,
“It’s incredible, in my first year to do it like Cristiano, my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” he began saying.
“The celebration is for him. I wanted to give him a nod because he has always been good to me.
“He has helped me adapt to Madrid, and now it’s good to help Madrid win games. Today I wanted to share that with him.
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“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 and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” Mbappe told Movistar La Liga.
A perfect birthday gift
The night carried even more personal significance for the Frenchman. The match fell on his birthday, adding another emotional layer to an already memorable evening.
Mbappe did not hide his joy when speaking about that coincidence, saying, “It’s a special day because it’s my birthday.
‘I’ve always said since I was little that it’s a dream to play a professional game on my birthday, especially for the team of my dreams.
“The goal was to end the year with a win.”
Despite the landmark achievement, the atmosphere around the game was far from perfect.
Some sections of the crowd voiced their frustration during Madrid’s performance, a topic Mbappe addressed carefully when asked about it.
“We had difficulty winning the last few league games, but now we’re going to 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 is played quickly, and we have to be ready,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo