Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has arguably been the best player in Europe this campaign, bagging goals on a regular basis. And, he broke a record previously held by Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo during a UEFA Champions League match earlier on Wednesday.
Kylian Mbappe Breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid Record
On Jan. 28, Real Madrid locked horns with Portuguese club Benfica in their last Champions League group-stage match of the 2025-26 season. They crashed to a dramatic 4-2 defeat, with Mbappe finding the back of the net twice on either side of the break.
The 27-year-old striker scored his 12th and 13th Champions League goals of the season in the 4-2 defeat, setting a record for Los Blancos. He became the player with the most goals in a Champions League group stage, surpassing Ronaldo’s 11 goals in the 2015-16 term.
So far this season, Mbappe has featured in seven Champions League matches and is set to play two extra playoff games after Real Madrid finishes ninth in the standings. The ex-Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward is aiming to become the star with the most goals in a single Champions League campaign, eclipsing Ronaldo’s 17 goals in the 2013-14 season.
Overall, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has netted a staggering 36 goals in just 29 overall outings for Los Blancos in the ongoing campaign. He has also laid out five assists across all competitions, with none coming in his seven Champions League appearances.
Meanwhile, former Los Merengues midfielder Alvaro Benito has hit out at his former team’s below-par performance in their recent away continental clash against Benfica.
“Real Madrid have once again highlighted the problems that have been with them for a long time when they have been pushed. When the level rises… they are not up to it. They have lacked collective tools in terms of legs, grit, competitiveness. In duels, they have been run over,” the Spaniard told Cadena SER.
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Benito, who played for Los Blancos from 1995 to 2002, also showered praise on Mbappe.
“Mbappe, like (Thibaut) Courtois, are players who stand out from the crowd. They perform well individually regardless of how matches go. Collectively… it has been a test where you realise what you need to improve to be competitive at the highest level. The team needs to press harder and more consistently,” Benito concluded.
The Alvaro Arbeloa-coached team relished 67% possession at Benfica, but registered fewer shots (16) than Jose Mourinho’s side (22). They managed to create only 1.50 xG, while the Portuguese outfit generated a healthy 3.01 xG, according to FotMob.
