Kylian Mbappe, in a heartfelt tribute, expressed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo after emulating the football legend's signature 'Siu' celebration following his goal during Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Sevilla. This match was particularly special for the French forward as it coincided with his 27th birthday, marking a memorable day that included not only a win but also a crucial contribution to his team's pursuit of La Liga glory.
On this notable occasion, Mbappe scored a decisive penalty late in the game, helping Real Madrid secure all three points against a Sevilla side reduced to ten men after Marcao received a red card for a reckless challenge on Jude Bellingham earlier in the match. This victory brought Real Madrid to within just one point of their fierce rivals, Barcelona, ahead of their upcoming fixture against Villarreal.
In addition to celebrating his birthday with a goal, Mbappe achieved an impressive milestone by matching Ronaldo's club record of 59 goals in a calendar year, a mark set by the Portuguese star back in 2013. After scoring, he honored Ronaldo by performing the iconic celebration, and post-match, he shared warm sentiments about his idol.
In comments reported by the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Mbappe stated, "It's incredible, in my first [full] year to be able to do what Cristiano did. [He’s] my idol, the best player in Real Madrid's history. The celebration is for him. I wanted to give him a shout-out because he's always been good to me; he helped me adapt to Madrid, and now it's wonderful to help Madrid win games. Today I wanted to share that with him. I have a very good relationship with him; he’s my friend now, and I send my best wishes to him and all Madrid fans, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s a special day because it’s also my birthday. I’ve always said since I was little that it’s a dream to play a professional match on my birthday, especially for my dream team. The goal was to finish the year with a win."
As it turns out, the match against Sevilla marked Real Madrid's last game of 2025, meaning Mbappe won’t have the chance to surpass Ronaldo’s record until the new year, when they face Real Betis on January 4.
Earlier this year, following his much-anticipated transfer to Real Madrid in June 2024, Mbappe took to social media to share his excitement about joining the prestigious club. His post captured several nostalgic moments, including a childhood photo of himself with Ronaldo. In a subsequent interview on Universo Valdano, a show aired on Movistar+, he revealed that he frequently seeks advice from Ronaldo, stating, "Cristiano has always been a role model, an example, for me. I’m lucky to be able to talk to him. He gives me advice, helps me... He’s the number one, the biggest reference at Real Madrid. People still dream of Cristiano. He’s the best, but I want to forge my own path, and it will be historic for me and for Real Madrid. I want to do something historic with Real Madrid."
As we approach 2026, it’s worth noting that Mbappe has been in sensational form amidst a challenging season for both him and manager Xabi Alonso, who has faced scrutiny due to fluctuating results that saw Barcelona take the lead in La Liga. Currently, Real Madrid's No. 10 has netted an astonishing 29 goals across all competitions this season, leading in both La Liga with 18 goals and the Champions League with 9 goals.
