Kylian Mbappé has shattered another barrier. In a turbulent year for Real Madrid, the French star has maintained an extraordinary level that now places him in a group reserved for football’s giants: the players who have surpassed 60 goals in a calendar year since 2000. Until now, that list only included Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robert Lewandowski.

A milestone reserved for goal-scoring legends

With 53 goals for Real Madrid and 7 for the France national team, Mbappé has reached 60 in 2025, cementing his place among the most feared attackers on the planet. He becomes only the fourth player of the 21st century to hit that mark within 12 months.

Messi did it multiple times — including his historic 91-goal year in 2012, the all-time record. Cristiano reached it during his most dominant seasons with Real Madrid, while Lewandowski joined the club in 2020, the year Bayern Munich conquered the sextuple under Hansi Flick.

For Mbappé, the milestone doesn’t just validate his status — it brings him even closer to his two biggest influences. He recently spoke about what it meant to share a locker room with Messi and maintain direct contact with Cristiano: Playing with Messi was very special… Cristiano has always been an example for me. He’s the number one in Madrid."

More to come: key matches before the year ends

What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Mbappé isn’t done yet. He still has LaLiga matches against Athletic Club, Celta, and Sevilla, plus a crucial Champions League showdown with Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu. With December 20 — his birthday — as the cutoff, the forward has room to push his numbers even higher and climb further up the historical rankings.

Other elite strikers remain in the race. Harry Kane has 54 goals for Bayern Munich, and Erling Haaland, with 51, still has seven matches left in England, making him the strongest candidate to join the 60-goal club before the year closes.

Xabi Alonso and a Madrid under pressure to respond

Despite Mbappé’s brilliance, Real Madrid are struggling. Three straight draws have cost them the top spot and triggered internal concern. Manager Xabi Alonso admitted the team must rediscover its consistency, particularly ahead of a demanding trip to San Mamés.

"We’ve completed a third of LaLiga, and there’s a lot left to play. We can win in Bilbao," Alonso said, noting he has held talks with the squad leaders and even direct conversations with Florentino Pérez.

He also emphasized the need to recover the best version of Jude Bellingham and defended players like Gonzalo García, explaining that his lack of minutes is simply due to Mbappé’s extraordinary form.

Still, Alonso remains firm: he will not request signings in the winter window.
"We have a deep and strong squad. I fully trust this group."

Mbappé keeps pushing Madrid forward with goals and records. Now it’s on the team to match his level.