London, 1 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says Kylian Mbappe is “in with a chance” of following in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps at the club.

Mbappe’s brace in Saturday’s 3-2 LaLiga win over Leganes at the Bernabeu took the 26-year-old France forward to 33 goals in all competitions for Real following his arrival last summer from Paris St Germain.

That is the same as the total Ronaldo scored in the first of what would be nine seasons with Real, which he finished with a club-record 451 goals to his name and having helped them win a host of trophies, including the Champions League four times.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at home against Real Sociedad, Ancelotti said: “It’s tough to compare different players.

“I hope and really wish for him (Mbappe) that he’s able to achieve what Cristiano Ronaldo did at Real Madrid.

“He’s in with a chance of doing so and that means he’ll become a Real Madrid legend as Cristiano Ronaldo has.”

Real lead the Copa del Rey tie after winning the first leg 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Endrick, another player who arrived at the club last summer.

The 18-year-old Brazilian has netted six times this term, with four of those goals coming in the Copa del Rey.

He has made 24 appearances this term across the league and Champions League, but only one start within that.

And Ancelotti said: “I don’t think he’s concerned. He’s happy, working hard and he looks motivated. I’m thrilled with him.

“I’ll give him minutes wherever I can because he’s always made the most of them and of course he might get a chance tomorrow because he’s done a great job in the Copa del Rey.

“He’s not lacking anything, it’s a case of competition. That means there are immensely talented players in competition with him.

“History shows than many players who are in the starting line-up have spent time sat on the bench – that’s to be expected at this club, as was the case with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and (Eduardo) Camavinga.”

Ancelotti added: “We’re in good shape, team morale is positive and we’re in form. We’ve got the South American lads back after the international break, we’re eager to make another final. We’ve gone well in the cup in recent years and we’d love to see a repeat.

“Becoming the first Real Madrid coach to win three Copas does motivate me, but being so close to a final motivates me, the players and the club. Playing a final in any competition is a great achievement. We’re very close.”

Photo: EPA