Why there is not ‘much difference’ between Kylian Mbappe & Cristiano Ronaldo – with former team-mate explaining similarities between Real Madrid ‘Galacticos’ past & present

Former Real Madrid academy graduate Jese played alongside Portuguese icon Ronaldo during his time at Santiago Bernabeu. The ex-Spain U-21 international went on to become a team-mate of World Cup winner Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain.

He has seen Mbappe tread a familiar path to the Spanish capital, with the Frenchman becoming another ‘Galactico’ addition for Los Blancos in 2024. He has faced the odd question of his contribution to the collective cause in Madrid, but is looking to play his way into peak form.

Jese sees no reason why Mbappe cannot become another legendary figure at the Bernabeu, as he boasts similar qualities to Real’s all-time leading goalscorer. Jese told Mowlihawk of working with two fearsome forwards: “There wasn't that much difference with the feelings I had when I trained with Cristiano. They were both the same, they scored goals in every training session. They both have their different talents, but it was already clear that Mbappe was going to be a star.”

Jese went on to say of Mbappe sounding out a move to Madrid a long time before a deal actually happened: “I had a couple of conversations with him before I left. He asked me what Real Madrid was like as a club and I told him that it was the best club in the world and that if he wanted to win the Ballon d'Or he should sign for Madrid.”

Ronaldo won four of his five Golden Balls while on Real’s books, with Mbappe looking to land his first in the not-too-distant future. The 25-year-old, who is adjusting to life as a central striker, has taken his goal tally in 2024-25 to 10 through 19 appearances.