Kylian Mbappé is having a sensational 2025-26 season, with his goalscoring prowess reaching new heights. With his recent goal against Benfica, the Real Madrid forward has set a new record for the most goals scored during the first phase of the UEFA Champions League, surpassing the previous mark held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid faced Benfica in Lisbon, aiming for a crucial result to secure a spot in the Round of 16 at the iconic Estádio da Luz. The match featured numerous opportunities for both teams, including a penalty that was overturned for Benfica. However, it was Madrid that struck first.
In the 30th minute, Franco Mastantuono regained possession and passed to Raúl Asencio, who delivered an exceptional cross from the right side. Mbappé cleverly found space at the edge of the six-yard box and executed a powerful header to score the opening goal, marking a significant moment in Champions League history.
This goal marked Mbappé’s 12th in just seven appearances during the group stage, breaking Ronaldo’s record of 11 goals set during the 2015-16 season. With a brace in his prior match against AS Monaco, Mbappé had already equaled Ronaldo’s tally at that time, but the striker’s achievement is particularly notable as he accomplished this in seven matches compared to Ronaldo’s six.
Mbappé’s incredible scoring streak highlights one of the most impressive records in Champions League history, with an average of 1.85 goals per match. He currently leads the competition’s Golden Boot race, comfortably ahead of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, both of whom have scored seven goals.
As per statistics from The Athletic’s Will Jeanes, Mbappé’s 12 goals in the Champions League would have been sufficient to crown him as the tournament’s top scorer in 62 of the last 70 seasons. Now at 13 goals following his performance against Benfica, he is on the verge of breaking more records beyond Europe.
In the ongoing season, Mbappé has netted a remarkable 36 goals, just eight shy of his previous year’s total of 44, with plenty of matches still to play—31 to be exact—indicating that he is well-positioned to surpass this figure. His impressive scoring rate suggests that the single-season record of 17 goals, set by Ronaldo, could also be within reach if Real Madrid progresses far in the tournament.
This season is shaping up to be historic for Mbappé, as he continues to dazzle fans and solidify his place among football’s elite.