“60 Goals in a Year – Welcome to the Club” – Mbappe Joins Messi and Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappe etched his name among football’s modern elite on Sunday, reaching 60 goals in the 2025 calendar year with a penalty in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Girona FC at Montilivi. The French superstar now stands alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robert Lewandowski as the only players of the 21st century to hit such a tally, while also becoming the first Frenchman since Just Fontaine in 1958 to score 60 goals combining club and country, according to GOAL.
The milestone, however, contrasts sharply with Real Madrid’s inconsistent form. The draw extended their winless streak to three consecutive away games in La Liga, allowing archrivals Barcelona to reclaim the league summit. Mbappe was a constant threat throughout, seeing one effort disallowed for handball and repeatedly stifled by Girona’s defense before the hosts opened the scoring.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure as the team’s structural frailties continue to surface. Despite Mbappe’s brilliance, the squad’s defensive lapses and lack of cohesion threaten their title ambitions, highlighting the Frenchman’s outsized influence on the pitch.
Mbappe’s year has been defined not just by volume, but by versatility and leadership. From La Liga to the Champions League and international fixtures with France, he has consistently delivered decisive goals and created chances for teammates, becoming the undeniable centerpiece of Madrid’s tactical setup. The club described 2025 as the year Mbappe “transitioned from global star to central figure and undisputed leader” of the squad.
Statistically, his impact is staggering: he has scored across all competitions, domestic, European, and international—while mentoring younger forwards and dictating Madrid’s attacking rhythm. Yet, his individual feats underscore a pressing reality: the team around him must elevate their performance to keep pace with Barcelona in La Liga.
As the season progresses, Mbappe’s form will remain pivotal. Can Real Madrid translate his extraordinary year into collective success, or will their reliance on one man prove a double-edged sword? The coming months may define not just his legacy, but the trajectory of Alonso’s side in Spain and Europe.