Kylian Mbappe is on the brink of writing his name into Real Madrid’s history books, according to manager Xabi Alonso, who says the French forward is beginning to mirror the achievements of his childhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe has been in outstanding form since joining the Spanish giants from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. After finishing last season as Europe’s leading goalscorer, he has carried that momentum into the new campaign.

His tally for 2025 now stands at 55 goals, leaving him just four short of Ronaldo’s club record of 59 goals scored in a single calendar year, set in 2013.

Spanish media have regularly compared Mbappe to Ronaldo, who remains Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer. Alonso believes the comparisons are now justified, given the influence the 25-year-old has on his teammates and the numbers he continues to produce.

“Kylian is on his way to making history at Real Madrid like Cristiano did. Not just because of the importance he has in the team, but also because of the ambition he conveys and the number of goals he scores,” Alonso said during a press briefing.

“Kylian is one of the chosen ones. He has this desire within him not just to do things well, but also to have a positive influence on others. This is something he shares with Cristiano, this contagious ambition that inspires the rest of the team.”

Mbappe finished last season as the winner of the European Golden Shoe and La Liga’s top scorer with 31 goals. He has since stepped up another level, hitting 16 goals in 15 league matches and scoring nine times in five Champions League appearances this season.

As a youngster, Mbappe decorated his bedroom walls with Ronaldo posters. Now he is within reach of a landmark set by the player he idolised. He will have the chance to close the gap when Celta Vigo visit the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Real Madrid’s upcoming fixtures also include a heavyweight Champions League meeting with Erling Haaland’s Manchester City on December 10, followed by league games against Alaves and Sevilla. That run gives Mbappe four matches to equal or surpass Ronaldo’s record.

Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 games during his time in the Spanish capital. Mbappe has delivered 69 goals in 79 appearances for Madrid.

Aston Villa ended Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run to blow the Premier League title race wide open on Saturday as Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0 to close within two points of the leaders.

Emiliano Buendia’s stoppage time strike secured a 2-1 victory for Villa and a ninth win in 10 league games since taking just three points from their opening five matches of the season.

“We were pushing and we were really, really believing in our victory,” said Villa boss Unai Emery. “We pushed until the last minute, and we got it.”

Arsenal were without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera in defence and the normally rock solid visitors struggled to cope with Villa’s variety of attacking weapons.

Eberechi Eze was caught on his heels as Matty Cash blasted Emery’s men into a half-time lead.

Arteta responded by introducing Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard at the break and got the response he demanded.

Trossard equalised with his 50th Premier League goal, from Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.

Only a stunning save from Emi Martinez against his former club then denied Martin Odegaard giving Arsenal the lead.

But Arsenal’s quest to end a 22-year wait to win the title hit a rare bump in the road this season when Buendia fired into the top corner after a goalmouth scramble in the final minute of added time.

“Losing it in the manner that we did in the last kick of the game was very painful and disappointing,” said Arteta.

“It is a good test as well for us. We’ve been 18 games unbeaten, performing and winning almost every game and now we have to hit that one. Now we have to go again and every three days we have a game, so I’m sure we’ll be ready.”

Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten Premier League run was shattered in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday as Aston Villa snatched a 2–1 victory with the last kick of the game.

Emilio Buendia striking at the death to hand the hosts a fifth straight win, a post-match report on the Arsenal website stated.

What had been a furious, end-to-end top-of-the-table clash was seconds away from ending level before chaos in the Arsenal box gifted Villa their winner.

After David Raya produced yet another sharp stop in a frantic goalmouth scramble, the loose ball fell kindly for Buendia, who “managed to find the net after a goalmouth scramble” to send Villa Park into delirium and condemn Arsenal to their first defeat since August.

The late twist came after Arsenal had hauled themselves back into the match through Leandro Trossard, who continued his inspired scoring run.

Introduced at halftime, the Belgian struck for the third consecutive league game, poking in after Emiliano Martínez parried a Bukayo Saka effort.

It marked his “50th Premier League goal and, more importantly, restored parity.”

Villa had led at the interval thanks to Matty Cash, who struck in the 36th minute after Pau Torres’ cross deflected off Jurrien Timber and dropped perfectly at the far post, where Cash “thumped between Raya’s legs and handed the hosts the lead.”

Arsenal carved out chances of their own but found former Gunner Martínez in superb form. The goalkeeper pushed away a fierce Saka drive, denied Martin Ødegaard from close range and produced a crucial fingertip stop to turn an Ødegaard curler over the bar in the second half.

Mikel Arteta’s halftime adjustments briefly tilted momentum Arsenal’s way. Viktor Gyökeres and Trossard entered the fray, with Trossard almost scoring instantly before finally leveling moments later.

But Villa surged again, with Raya called into action to deny Ollie Watkins repeatedly as the hosts pressed for a winner. Substitute Donyell Malen went close, dragging just wide, before Noni Madueke hit the side-netting during a tense stoppage time.

Then came the decisive moment. With virtually the final touch, Buendia capitalized after Arsenal failed to clear, sealing a dramatic win for Unai Emery’s in-form side.

Arsenal must regroup quickly. They travel to Club Brugge on Wednesday for a Champions League showdown before returning to league action next Saturday at home to Wolves. A trip to Everton follows on December 20.