Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Kylian Mbappe over Real Madrid struggles
- Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer
- Frenchman has brushed off pressure of replicating Ronaldo
- Difficult form to start 2024/25 has put Mbappe in the spotlight
By Tom Gott
Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Kylian Mbappe to be a success at Real Madrid, even tipping the Frenchman to win this year's Ballon d'Or.
Mbappe joined Madrid on a free transfer this summer and was immediately touted as the heir to Ronaldo's record-breaking throne in Madrid - pressure the Frenchman has already moved to lift off his shoulders.
After a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign, which saw Mbappe go goalless in his first three La Liga games as well as struggling at international level with France, the current Madrid star received some words of support from Ronaldo.
"I think he's going to do well, to be honest," he told UR Cristiano. The structure of the club is nice, good and solid. They have a great coach and a president who has been there many, many years.
"I don't think it'll be a big issue for him, because his talent - he has shown everything capable to do it. I think he'll do it well, to be honest.
"In my opinion, he can be the next Golden Ball [winner] for the next years. Him, probably [Erling] Haaland, [Jude] Bellingham, Lamine [Yamal]... I think this new generation, they have a lot of potential, but I believe [Mbappe] will do very well."
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