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“I want to write history with Real Madrid”.
After destroying Manchester City in the second leg of their 3-1 Champions League play-off win, Kylian Mbappe’s brilliant hat-trick made a clear statement to the media.
The French striker scored in the 3-2 first-leg victory over the English champions at Etihad Stadium after a scuffed finish, but none of his three goals in Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, which secured a 6-3 aggregate victory over the English champions, were fortunate.
Mbappe’s speed, sharp movement, and ruthless finishing propelled Pep Guardiola’s side to the top, earning them a spot in the last 16.
After only three goals in 11 games for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, the France captain was recently under intense scrutiny from Real fans and pundits. Following the 26-year-old’s agonizing departure from Paris St-Germain, his contract expired and he moved to Spain’s giants on a free transfer.
After a “slow start” to life in Madrid, he has now scored 27 goals in all competitions so far this season. It’s safe to say he is no longer adapting, but thriving.
“The adaptation period for me has ended and now I have to show my quality”, said Mbappe. “I want to play well here, I want to make a mark on the season.
” We wanted to win. We wanted to advance to the following round. Real’s progress in the Champions League’s next round was only logical, in our opinion.
Mbappe is now starting to resemble the feared frontman from his six years at PSG, where he scored 256 goals.
And it’s obvious that the Real faithful also embraced him, who was given a standing ovation after his 78th minute treble.
” What an ovation it is for Mbappe, “said BBC Radio 5 Live’s chief football correspondent John Murray.
‘ Incredible what Mbappe has done ‘ – Bellingham
Mbappe struggled to adapt to the central striker position that Ancelotti had given him, with Vinicius Jr. taking his preferred left-wing position.
According to European football expert James Horncastle, “If you go back to the first Clasico of the season at Bernabeu, it was so big for him.”
” Madrid lost 4-0, Mbappe didn’t score and he was caught offside eight times. He couldn’t have imagined that.
Didier Deschamps skipped the national team captain from four Nations League games in October and November of last year, despite his poor form in Spain, which ultimately cost him a spot in the France squad.
However, he has now scored seven goals in six La Liga games to keep Real alive in Europe despite their shaky campaign debut.
There was only going to be a transition period for him to join this club, said former England defender Joleon Lescott on TNT Sports.
Murray continued, “There were one or two questions about whether he would fit in here. That now seems preposterous. “
It is no wonder he is already drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo, another Real legend.
In fact, statistics suggest he is already emulating the Portugal legend, who won two La Liga titles and four Champions League titles while living in Madrid.
Mbappe’s seven goals in this season’s Champions League has him level with Ronaldo (2009-10) and Spanish striker Justo Tejada (1961-62) for most goals scored by a Real player in Europe’s premier club competition during their debut campaign.
” It is incredible what he has done in his career, “team-mate Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports.
He started off slowly and had to adjust to life there, I am aware of. Now he is flying and it’s so good to see. “
With more performances like Wednesday, it will only be a matter of time before he cements his status as the face, and hero, of this Real side.
Former England and Manchester City defender Lescott added, “He definitely announced himself tonight with this club and the fans.”
Watch highlights of every Champions League game on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, and the BBC Sport website and app from 12:00 to eve of the match.
Related topics
- Real Madrid
- UEFA Champions League
- Football
Source: BBC
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