Kylian Mbappe wants 'legacy like LeBron James' as Real Madrid superstar's 'eagerness to be loved' draws Cristiano Ronaldo comparison

The World Cup-winning forward became another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu during the summer of 2024. He was handed the No.9 jersey worn by Portuguese superstar Ronaldo when he first arrived in Spain, with it clear from the start that Mbappe was never going to be able to avoid CR7’s shadow.

A slow start to life in Madrid saw questions asked of the Frenchman’s value to the Blancos cause, but a spark has been found en route to reaching 29 goals across all competitions. The plan now is to win the very biggest of prizes, including the Champions League and Ballon d’Or.

If Mbappe were to hit those targets, then he would secure a standing alongside the likes of NBA icon LeBron and five-time Golden Ball winner Ronaldo. A report from Cadena SER says of Mbappe: “At the club, they say that Kylian is a special star who stands out for his intelligence and his ability to measure every comment he makes off the field.

“And it is precisely off the field that they say that he has an interest in being loved. A goal that he does not hide. In this eagerness to be loved and his humble status of a superstar, he fell on his feet in the locker room. He does not always say what he thinks, as others do, so as not to create misunderstandings. Nor did he want to impose playing anywhere on the field, as Carlo Ancelotti explained.

“He is very demanding of himself. He wants a legacy in history like LeBron James, who is his idol. He is very similar to Cristiano because he is more of a leader than a captain.”

Mbappe knows how to lead, having taken on captaincy duties with France, but does not have to deal with that pressure in Madrid. He is able to focus on being the best possible version of himself, with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo on hand to provide welcome support.