Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Kylian Mbappe has what it takes to reach Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary status at the club. However, he made it clear that achieving such a feat will require serious dedication and hard work.

The Italian coach acknowledged that matching Ronaldo’s impact is no small task but expressed confidence in the French forward’s potential. Speaking about Mbappe’s recent performance, Ancelotti emphasized that while the striker has the quality, it will take effort and consistency to reach the same heights.

“Mbappe has a lot of talent and can reach Cristiano’s level, but Ronaldo set the bar extremely high,” Ancelotti said. “He’s just starting his journey at Madrid, and he’s excited, but it won’t be easy—he has to put in the work. Everyone was waiting for this hat-trick from him, and now it has finally come.”

The coach also pointed out that while Mbappe is a key player, he isn’t the only one capable of making a difference on the pitch. “We have many players who contribute, not just through individual brilliance but also through teamwork,” he added.

Mbappe’s hat-trick helped Real Madrid secure a 3-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. It was his first treble for Los Blancos since joining on a free transfer from PSG in the summer of 2024.

The Frenchman has always been vocal about his admiration for Ronaldo, often calling him his football idol. On the other hand, Ronaldo had previously stated that if he were at Madrid, he would teach Mbappe how to excel as a number nine.

“If I was at Madrid, I’d show him how to play as a number nine. I wasn’t a forward, but I adapted,” Ronaldo said in a recent interview.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has praised Rodrygo as the most underrated and naturally gifted player in the squad, highlighting the Brazilian’s selfless contributions to the team.

Speaking after Real Madrid’s Champions League playoff win over Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham was asked about both Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo’s abilities.

“Kylian is unbelievable. Everyone knows how special he is,” Bellingham told CBS Sports. But he made sure to give Rodrygo the recognition he feels he deserves.

“Rodrygo is so underrated. He’s probably the most talented and gifted player in our squad. The things he can do with a football are amazing,” Bellingham said.

Beyond his technical ability, Bellingham also praised Rodrygo’s work ethic, saying, “He sacrifices the most. His favorite position is on the left, but he plays on the right for the team, works hard defensively, and never complains.”

Concacaf has taken disciplinary action against referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava after he was seen approaching Lionel Messi for his jersey following Inter Miami’s Champions Cup victory over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night.

After the final whistle, Nava appeared to ask Messi for his shirt, sparking controversy. He later explained that he was actually requesting an autograph for a relative with special needs. However, his actions violated Concacaf’s code of conduct for match officials.

In a statement shared with ESPN, Concacaf confirmed the decision, saying, “The referee’s conduct does not align with the Confederation’s Code of Conduct for match officials and existing processes for these types of requests.”

They also noted that Nava admitted his mistake, apologized, and accepted the punishment. Concacaf has not yet revealed the specific disciplinary measures taken against the referee.