Arbeloa Praises Mbappé’s Potential to Emulate Ronaldo at Real Madrid

omidbasir- Coach Álvaro Arbeloa expressed confidence that Kylian Mbappé possesses the necessary qualities to match the extraordinary impact of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Mbappé celebrated his 38th goal of the season in the team’s 2-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday. Left-back Álvaro Carreras scored the first goal in the 65th minute at Mestalla, followed by Mbappé securing the second in added time, ensuring that Madrid remains one point behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

In his second season in Spain, Mbappé has scored 23 league goals, along with 13 in the Champions League and two in the Copa del Rey. However, he still has a considerable journey ahead to reach Ronaldo, who stands as Madrid’s all-time top scorer with 450 goals over nine seasons.

“We thought we wouldn’t see anything like Cristiano, but Mbappé is on track,” Arbeloa remarked during a post-match interview with Real Madrid TV. He further stated, “Currently, he is undoubtedly the best player in the world. What Cristiano accomplished appeared almost unattainable, but Kylian possesses the qualities to follow in his footsteps. You never know; if anyone can do it, it’s Kylian.”

Since his arrival at Madrid in the summer of 2024, Mbappé has netted a total of 81 goals in all competitions. However, he is yet to secure a major trophy with the club.

Arbeloa also addressed his decision to field youngster David Jiménez at right-back, opting for him over more experienced players Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who were both on the bench. Alexander-Arnold made his return in the 76th minute, while Carvajal remained an unused substitute as both players recover from injuries.

“It’s promising to see academy players contribute in crucial matches,” Arbeloa commented. “With Trent returning from a lengthy absence, we are taking a cautious approach to ensure he regains his rhythm gradually.”

Arbeloa noted that Alexander-Arnold has logged just 406 minutes in LaLiga this season, making the match against Valencia his first appearance of 2026, while Carvajal has had even less playing time.

“Dani shows improvement in training every day,” Arbeloa stated regarding Carvajal’s recovery. “We won’t take any unnecessary risks; he has been working hard at Valdebebas during our days off. His presence is vital in the dressing room.”

The coach defended the team’s performance against Valencia, which saw them struggle to create opportunities before Carreras’ opening goal. “We knew playing at Mestalla would be challenging, akin to a dental visit. The players displayed a serious and committed effort throughout the match.”