Kylian Mbappe: Real Madrid striker wants to ‘write history’ after hat-trick past Manchester City

Mbappe struggled to adapt to the central striker role entrusted in him by Ancelotti, with Vinicius Jr preferred in his favourite left-wing role.

“If you go back to the first Clasico of the season at Bernabeu, it was so big for him,” European football expert James Horncastle told BBC Match of the Day.

“Madrid lost 4-0, Mbappe didn’t score and he was caught offside eight times. That was unthinkable for him.”

His poor form in Spain even cost him a place in the France squad as Didier Deschamps omitted the national team captain from four Nations League fixtures in October and November last year.

But since the turn of the new year, he has scored seven goals in six La Liga matches while also keeping Real alive in Europe after a shaky start to their campaign.

“I don’t think anyone has ever doubted his talents, there was just going to be an adaptation period for him joining this club,” said former England defender Joleon Lescott on TNT Sports.

Murray added: “There were one or two questions as to whether he would fit in here. That now seems preposterous.”

It is no wonder he is already drawing comparisons with another Real legend – one Cristiano Ronaldo.

In fact, numbers suggest he is already emulating the Portugal superstar, who won four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles during a trophy-laden stay Madrid.

Mbappe’s seven goals in this season’s Champions League has him level with Ronaldo (2009-10) and Spanish striker Justo Tejada (1961-62) for most goals scored by a Real player in Europe’s premier club competition during their debut campaign.

“It is incredible what he has done in his career,” team-mate Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports.

“I know he had a slow start here and took time getting used to life here. Now he is flying and it’s so good to see.”

With more performances like Wednesday, it will only be a matter of time before he cements his status as the face, and hero, of this Real side.

“Tonight, he definitely announced himself with this club and the fans,” added former Manchester City and England defender Lescott.

“If they go on to win it, this will be the moment they recognise Mbappe is their guy and the main man.”