Kylian Mbappé is etching his name into Real Madrid history, but the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo looms large, prompting both celebration and questions about the club's direction.

Mbappé, celebrating his 27th birthday, equaled Ronaldo's club record by scoring his 59th goal in a calendar year for Real Madrid during a recent La Liga match against Sevilla. The French forward sealed the 2-0 victory with a late penalty, matching Ronaldo's 2013 record. Mbappé even paid tribute to Ronaldo by replicating his iconic "siu" celebration. He later expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, calling him his idol and the best player in Real Madrid's history.

Ronaldo acknowledged Mbappé's achievement on social media, further fueling the narrative of a passing of the torch. Mbappé also shared an image of himself with Ronaldo from his childhood, with the caption "Believe in your dreams. Big up Cristiano," to which Ronaldo responded with congratulatory emojis.

Mbappé's individual brilliance arrives amidst questions about Real Madrid's overall performance under manager Xabi Alonso. Despite Mbappé's impressive goal-scoring rate – 30 goals in 27 games since Alonso's arrival – some observers question the team's consistency and whether Alonso is the right man to fully unlock the potential of this Real Madrid squad.

Real Madrid sought a player to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo for seven seasons. While Mbappé's arrival has undoubtedly provided a spark, the team is still a work in progress. Some wonder if the focus on individual brilliance overshadows the collective effort required to win major titles. Others point to the need for reinforcements in other areas of the squad to complement Mbappé's talent.

Despite the questions surrounding the team's overall form, Mbappé's impact is undeniable. Since joining Real Madrid, he has scored 73 goals and provided 10 assists in 83 matches. At 27, he is poised to break many more records and potentially lead Real Madrid to a new era of success. The question remains whether the club can build a team around him that matches his ambition and talent.

The comparison to Ronaldo, a defining figure in Real Madrid's history, will likely continue throughout Mbappé's career at the club. While Mbappé is forging his own path, the legacy of Ronaldo serves as both inspiration and a yardstick for measuring his success. The pressure is on for Mbappé and Real Madrid to translate individual brilliance into collective trophies, solidifying his place in the club's pantheon of legends and answering the lingering questions about the team's direction.