Cristiano Ronaldo‘s legacy at Real Madrid is one for the history books. He left an indelible impact, navigating a magnificent career that still resonates throughout the hallowed hallways of Santiago Bernabeu. Although the guidance of astute coaches and the company of talented teammates were important factors, an analyst highlights Ronaldo’s attitude to ‘heading balls away‘ and ‘running for his teammate‘ as a ‘key‘ element in his exceptional stint in Spain. The huge claim was made in the newsrooms of ESPN, where the panel of Frank Leboeuf, Alex Kirkland, Shaka Hislop, and Steve Nicol joined Dan Thomas to discuss Kylian Mbappe‘s potential switch to Madrid.

Interestingly, Nicol claimed that the Frenchman would need to ‘pull the weight‘ while backing Cristiano Ronaldo as the ‘perfect example‘. The Liverpool legend claimed that 90% of the time, not just Ronaldo’s teammate would play for him, but even the striker would also give his all for his side. 

“He clearly played for them [Real Madrid]. Set pieces against, you would see him heading balls away, you would see him chasing people down, you would see him running for his teammate, and when your superstar is running for you as well, I’ll tell you what, that whole team runs more for him, and that’s what makes everybody successful. That’s why Cristiano [Ronaldo] was so successful because he gets everybody in to play for him, but he’s also playing for them. That’s the key,” concluded Nicol.

These claims justify Ronaldo’s emphatic success at Madrid. Perhaps this is a subtle indication for Kylian Mbappe that he would need to do the same thing as CR7 if he wishes to make his mark in the Spanish capital for the decades to come. 

Can Kylian Mbappe challenge the Real Madrid legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo? 

Cristiano Ronaldo has won over 15 trophies with Real Madrid, including four Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, and three Club World Cups. Piling on are five Ballon d’Or titles and three FIFA The Best Awards. Over his sparking 9-year+ tenure, the striker notched 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 games across all competitions. 

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Clearly, these numbers are impressive, which also implies how much expectation Madrid will have of a player like Kylian Mbappe if he were to join. The 24-year-old would not only be required to keep up with his goal-scoring record but also go the extra mile to exhibit teamwork on the pitch. It remains to be seen if the Frenchman boldly accepts this challenge or not.

Do you think Kylian Mbappe can outshine Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid legacy? Let us know in the comments.

WATCH THIS STORY: Cristiano Jr’s Insane Training Schedule