Kylian Mbappé doesn’t care who the opponent is. He only cares about the outcome. Why ask questions when you can pull the trigger? It’s his leitmotif, his way of life, the trait that has made him a nightmare for everyone. Whether it’s a giant of the game (his Clásico brace against Barcelona, for example) or a newcomer. This time it was Racing Santander. He had never set foot in El Sardinero before, and his debut unfolded the way so many of his appearances do. Beyond the controversy and the officiating decisions, he earned a penalty and calmly converted it. Before this match, he had scored against each of the 23 LaLiga opponents he had faced since arriving at Madrid. Now the list stands at 24. The next challenge is Deportivo La Coruña, around Christmas. His first day in Cantabria ended the same way so many of his days elsewhere have ended: with a goal.

Mbappé relentlessly chased a second and came agonizingly close, particularly in the 60th minute, when a thunderous strike crashed off the woodwork. The brace never arrived, but he was still instrumental. Madrid’s second goal also stemmed from his movement and intent. He pinned Jeanuël Belocian in place, worked the ball wide to Arda Güler, and the Turkish midfielder completed a flowing combination that Jude Bellingham finished off. Güler got the assist, but Mbappé was the one who unlocked the play. It was another flourish in an afternoon in which he remained heavily involved, linked up intelligently (32 of 34 passes completed, a 94% success rate), created four chances (second only to Güler’s six) and recovered possession three times. “There were moments when he pressed really well,” noted Mourinho. It was the kind of performance in which, even without the fireworks, he still proved decisive. Once again, he left his mark.

And Mbappé added to an impressive overall goal tally in Spanish soccer. Since the summer of 2023, his 68 league goals are the most in the competition, well ahead of the next closest challenger, Raphinha, on 46. Through 117 appearances for Madrid, he has now scored 101 goals, reaching the century mark at Camp Nou just before enduring disappointment in London, narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or by the slimmest of margins, and becoming public enemy No. 1 in China. Yet rather than with frustration, he has responded with determination, keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon and on the prizes he craves most: trophies. And he knows the shortest route to them.

A strike rate on an upwards curve

Having scored against every LaLiga opponent he has faced, Mbappé has been held scoreless in only four of his 14 matches this season. In all the others, he has found the net. Eleven of those goals have come in league play, where he is chasing down Raphinha, the current Pichichi leader on 15. Across all competitions, he has scored 15 times. He is averaging a goal every 83.5 minutes and, when his three assists are included, a direct goal contribution every 69.6 minutes. Mbappé speaks only one language: goals. It is a torment for every opponent. Not just in Spain, but across Europe as well. In the Champions League, he has delivered against Inter Milan (2-1), Roma (4-3) and RB Leipzig (4-1). One goal in each victory, helping power Madrid’s perfect start to the European season.

That consistency has him chasing Raphinha not only in the domestic scoring race, but among the elite marksmen across Europe’s five major leagues. Across all competitions, the Brazilian has 17 goals to Mbappé’s 15. Behind them come Erling Haaland (13) and Lamine Yamal (12). The numbers could have been even higher. Mbappé has struck the woodwork four times this season, surpassed only by Michael Olise with five. And he is only getting hotter: seven goals in his last five matches. Relentless. Insatiable.

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