Kylian Mbappe has joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in an exclusive Clasico club after finding the target again for Real Madrid in a crunch clash with arch-rivals Barcelona. The World Cup-winning France international has made a habit of doing that since becoming another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024 – with the exploits of all-time greats being emulated.
Mbappe the Galactico: Acquired for big games
The Blancos snapped up Mbappe with the hope of seeing him deliver in games that matter most. Fixtures do not come much bigger than meetings with Barcelona, as said contests attract interest from every corner of the globe.
Figures such as Mbappe are expected to illuminate proceedings, and he has been doing his best for Madrid since being added to their star-studded ranks. He was handed the No.9 shirt last season that Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo wore immediately after making his own move to Spain from Manchester United.
AdvertisementGettyMbappe's record in El Clasico: Goals & defeats
Mbappe failed to find the target in his first meeting with Barca, which ended in a humbling 4-0 defeat. Another setback was suffered in the Spanish Super Cup, when going down 5-2, but the Frenchman did contribute to the Blancos’ cause on that occasion. He was on target again in a 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat to Barca in April.
Mbappe was then the star of the show for Real as they travelled to Catalunya on May 11, but another painful loss was suffered. Barcelona prevailed 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller, but struggled to keep Mbappe in check as he registered a hat-trick.
Fast forward to the present and Mbappe opened the scoring in another Clasico clash at the Bernabeu. He did so in style, finishing emphatically with a shot across the goalkeeper after being played through by Jude Bellingham.
Having scored in four successive Clasico matches, Mbappe finds himself joining an exclusive club. The only other members are Ballon d’Or-winning icons of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s glittering past.
Mbappe is the third player to score in four consecutive El Clasico games across all competitions in the 21st century (six goals), after Ronaldinho Gaucho between 2004 and 2006 (four matches, five goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2012 (six matches, seven goals).
Trophy target: Mbappe chasing down major honours
Mbappe has endured plenty of pain at the hands of Barcelona, but will be hoping to enjoy a reversal in fortune across the 2025-26 campaign. He plundered 44 goals across his debut campaign in Madrid and is well on course to match or better that return this term. He already has a Champions League hat-trick to his name, against Kairat Almaty, and is looking to guide Real towards domestic and European honours – posting numbers that CR7 would have been proud of in the process.
Bellingham takes Clasico record from Vinicius Jr
He will hope to see the likes of Bellingham provide plenty more assistance, with the England international looking to rediscover his best form on the back of summer shoulder surgery. The 22-year-old was also on target in Real’s latest clash with Barca, becoming the youngest player in the 21st century to score and assist in a Clasico for the Blancos – breaking a record that Vinicius Junior previously held after achieving the same feat in a Copa del Rey fixture in April 2023.