'Play like Cristiano Ronaldo' – CR7 offers advice to Kylian Mbappe as Portuguese tells Real Madrid their latest Galactico 'doesn’t know how to play as a forward'

World Cup-winning Frenchman Mbappe became another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu during the summer of 2024. With Ballon d’Or contender Vinicius Junior already in the Spanish capital, Real’s latest superstar signing was moved away from his favoured position on the left flank.

It took some time for the 26-year-old to adjust to the demands of playing as a central striker but he has found a spark, registering 14 goals through his last 18 appearances in all competitions. Ronaldo is convinced that Mbappe can thrive in that role, but has told La Sexta of how a fellow global icon needs to be managed: “Take care of him. Take care of him. I'm telling the Real Madrid fans... Take care of the kid. Mbappe is very good and Real Madrid has to help him and protect him. I have no doubt that Mbappe will bring a lot of joy to Real Madrid fans.”

Mbappe has spoken in the past of his admiration for Ronaldo, with CR7 returning that compliment by saying: “I love him a lot, and not just because of the story he had when he was young, where he loved Cristiano Ronaldo a lot and he was his idol. But I really see him as a great player and he is going to bring a lot of joy to Real Madrid.”

Ronaldo added on what Mbappe and Real need to do in order for their working relationship to be as profitable as possible: “The forward position makes things a bit complicated for Mbappe, because he doesn't know how to play as a forward in my opinion... It's not that he doesn't know how, it's not his position.

“If I were at Real Madrid I would teach him to play as a nine. Because I wasn't a striker. I got used to playing as a striker. I used to play on the wing and people forget. Kylian shouldn't be a typical striker. If I were him, I would play more or less like Cristiano Ronaldo plays as a striker.”

If Mbappe is half as successful in Madrid as Ronaldo was then he will have done alright. CR7 – who is still going strong at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr - scored 450 goals for Los Blancos through 438 appearances, winning two La Liga titles, four Champions League and four of his five Ballons d’Or.