Kylian Mbappe was once again Real Madrid’s match-winner on Tuesday, converting two penalties against Marseille in the Champions League to take his tally to 50 goals for the club.
He reached the milestone in 64 appearances, the fewest for Real since Cristiano Ronaldo, who did so in only 54 games following his move from Manchester United in 2009.
Former Real striker Karim Benzema took 106 games, while Mbappe’s team-mate Vinicius Jr needed 200.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo went on to win four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles in nine years at Real and scored a club record 450 goals.
Mbappe did not win a domestic trophy during his first season at the Bernabeu and also missed out on a first Champions League title, which was won by former club Paris St-Germain.
But, while PSG evolved successfully in Mbappe’s absence, the 26-year-old has brought a new dimension to Real’s attack.
He scored 44 times in 56 matches in all competitions last term and has carried that form into the new campaign, registering six goals in five outings.
This summer Mbappe took the iconic number 10 shirt left vacant by Luka Modric’s departure and previously worn by Real legends Ferenc Puskas and Luis Figo.
“I do what the boss asks me to do,” World Cup winner Mbappe said after victory against Marseille.
“I want to help the team – if it is scoring goals, pressing or assists.”
This month Mbappe surpassed Thierry Henry to become France’s second highest scorer of all time.
Mbappe is PSG’s record goalscorer with 256 goals after he joined them from Monaco in 2017.
Real are the most successful side in the history of the Champions League and European Cup, lifting the trophy on 15 occasions, including six times in the past 12 seasons.
Tuesday’s victory resulted in two more landmark achievements.
Real became the first team to win 200 Champions League games (excluding the European Cup) and the first to score 700 goals in the competition, which is 68 more than the next best side.
