Alright, you muppets, listen up! Kylian Mbappe's latest goals for Real Madrid could be his most important yet, and I'm here to tell you why, so pay attention!
Mbappe's brace against Celta Vigo
The France captain nabbed two goals against Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu, putting his side 3-0 up after some other bloke's opener. Celta fought back but fell 3-2, but who cares? Mbappe had plenty of reasons to be chuffed with himself.
The top scorer race
His efforts were his 23rd and 24th of the season in LaLiga, putting him just one goal behind that Polish bellend, Robert Lewandowski, in the top scorer race. If he manages to eclipse his Clasico rival, he could well end up collecting the 'Pichichi' top scorer award in his first season, a feat even his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, couldn't bloody manage.
Outshining Galactico signings
Ronaldo left Madrid in 2018 with three of the golden boot awards, but couldn't manage the honour in his debut campaign. The prize went to his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, in that 2009/10 season. Madrid are known for their Galactico signings, but rarely have those players trounced LaLiga in their debut campaign. In fact, only three have – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Hugo Sanchez, and the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano. Ronaldo isn't the only big name to fail to set the standard in their debut campaign, with Karim Benzema, Ronaldo Nazario, and Gareth Bale all falling short at the first time of asking.
Mbappe's chance to make history
Mbappe would become the fourth player to be LaLiga top scorer in his debut campaign if he surpasses Lewandowski and will have the opportunity to do so right in front of the Pole's face on May 11. Madrid and Barcelona stage the final Clasico of the season at Montjuic with just four points separating them in LaLiga with five games to play. Barca have won their last five matches against Real, including in the recent Copa del Rey final and also the Spanish Supercopa in January. Yet victory at home in two games time would arguably be the biggest yet, as it could well give them an insurmountable lead at the top of the table.
The importance of LaLiga
Mbappe and Madrid have won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup in 2024, but just those two trophies would be well below par for arguably the world's biggest football team. Their Copa defeat came weeks after being knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Arsenal, and LaLiga is their only route to a meaningful trophy this season. They do have hope, though, with Barca far from convincing in recent weeks, only squeezing past the already-relegated bottom-of-the-table Real Valladolid on Saturday night.
