'He gives me advice' - Kylian Mbappe reveals chats with Cristiano Ronaldo and how Real Madrid legend is 'an example'

After completing his long-awaited move to Real in June 2024, Mbappe immediately took to social media to express his delight at joining the Spanish giants. In a post which went viral on Instagram, the 26-year-old shared several images including one of him meeting Ronaldo when he was a child. And the Al-Nassr striker later commented on the post, writing: “Excited to see you light up the Bernabeu.”

And Mbappe has since revealed that he and Ronaldo are often in communication with each other, saying he is “lucky” to be able to pick the brain of the player he idolised growing up. Mbappe told Universo Valdano: “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, even now, 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.”

And Mbappe’s hopes of making history with Real have been boosted following his excellent start to the 2025-26 season. The attacker has scored 14 goals in 10 games in all competitions, including five in just two Champions League appearances so far. Mbappe is also the current top goalscorer in La Liga, having scored nine times to help Xabi Alonso’s side ascend to the top of the league table. Real currently sit two points above rivals Barcelona, having won seven of their eight league games.

Mbappe has also replicated his goalscoring form with Real for France during the international break. Les Bleus’ captain scored in his 10th successive game for club and country in his nation’s 3-0 win over Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying. After helping maintain France’s winning start to qualifying, manager Didier Deschamps was full of praise for Mbappe after the game.

Deschamps said: ”He's a central striker. The range of abilities depends on the system. With us, he has freedom, like most strikers. In the centre, there are fewer constraints, especially defensively. He has legs of fire, he's confident, and his head is also fine. He exudes a lot of power and speed, and that's where he makes even more of a difference. He's totally committed to us, he fully assumes his role as captain and his responsibility towards the group. We can always do better. He's a central striker who likes to have freedom and participate in the game.”

Ronaldo and Portugal have also made a perfect start to World Cup qualifying. The 40-year-old started in his country’s last-gasp 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, though he had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Ruben Neves scored the only goal of the game in what was the Selecao’s first on home soil following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. Paying tribute to his close friend after scoring his first goal for Portugal, Neves pulled down his left sock to reveal a beautiful tattoo of him and Jota.

Mbappe will not feature when France take on Iceland in their next World Cup qualifier on Monday, 13 October, having returned to Spain after picking up a minor ankle injury in the victory over Azerbaijan. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is expected to play when Portugal play host to Hungary in their next qualifier on Tuesday, 14 October. The former Manchester United and Juventus man has been in good form in qualifying, scoring three goals in as many games.