Kylian Mbappé breaks one of the majestic records left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League

It is time to officially recognize that Kylian Mbappé isn't just wearing the legendary white shirt—he is redefining the history of the club with every touch. On Wednesday night, during the final matchday of the Champions League league phase against Benfica, the French superstar reached a career milestone that many thought would remain untouched for decades. With a clinical header at the Estádio da Luz, Mbappé netted his 35th goal of the season and his 12th in this European campaign, officially surpassing the record for most goals in a single opening stage previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo.

For nearly a decade, the record for most goals in the initial phase of the Champions League belonged to Ronaldo. In the 2015/16 season, the Portuguese icon found the net 11 times against the likes of PSG, Malmö, and Shakhtar Donetsk. At the time, it was considered an anomaly—a feat of scoring that required a perfect storm of health and form.

However, in the 2025/26 edition, Mbappé has rewritten the script. By scoring his 12th goal against the Portuguese side, the Frenchman has moved into a league of his own. While the new format provided him with more opportunities, the sheer consistency required to score a dozen goals before the knockout rounds begin is a testament to his status as the best player in the world today.

The historic moment arrived in the 29th minute of the first half. The play was sparked by a brilliant defensive overlap from Raúl Asencio. The 22-year-old defender, who has become a revelation under Álvaro Arbeloa, drove down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross into the heart of the box. Mbappé, displaying a refined aerial game that has evolved significantly since his arrival in Madrid, rose above the Benfica defense to power a header home, silencing the Lisbon crowd and etching his name into the record books.

While Mbappé now holds the total volume record, purists will continue to debate the "efficiency" factor. It is important to note that Mbappé achieved his 12 goals across eight matches in the new league format, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo secured his 11 goals in just six games.

When looking at the goal averages, "The Bicho" still maintains a slight edge with a staggering 1.83 goals per game compared to Mbappé’s 1.5. Many analysts argue that Ronaldo’s mark was technically more difficult to achieve given the shorter window of time. However, Mbappé’s ability to sustain that scoring rate over a longer, more physically demanding schedule is a feat of modern engineering.

Mbappé’s dominance this season has left his rivals in the dust. His 12 goals nearly double the tally of Harry Kane, his closest competitor, who has 7 for Bayern Munich.

But the Frenchman isn't finished. His eyes are now fixed on the "Holy Grail" of Champions League scoring: Ronaldo’s 17 goals from the 2013/14 campaign. With the knockout rounds looming and Real Madrid looking like favorites to reach the final in Munich, Mbappé has a realistic shot at the greatest single-season scoring record in the history of the beautiful game.