THE SUCCESSOR HAS ARRIVED

Image Credit- Goal.Com. 

With a late penalty in Real Madrid's 2-0 La Liga victory over Sevilla, Kylian Mbappe equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's club record of 59 goals in a calendar year. It's amusing to note that Mbappe missed a few opportunities at the start before getting his chance to glory that levelled him to his idol. One more goal and the record could have been his. But still, levelling Ronaldo's record was something that Mbappe would have surely dreamt of for a long time. And getting the same on the eve of his birthday—that too against a formidable Seville side—is a fabulous feat.

Jude Bellingham gave Real Madrid the lead in the first half, and with 22 minutes left, Marcao was sent off for a second time, reducing Sevilla to 10 men. However, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept the home team ahead. Early on, Sevilla caused a lot of trouble. Isaac Romero chipped a shot that was delivered through on goal and went just wide, causing the home crowd to whistle as Real Madrid was under pressure. Before Real took the lead seven minutes before halftime, Mbappe missed a snap-shot as the home team battled to produce a clear-cut opportunity. Lucien Agoume of Sevilla then missed another goal for the visitors.

Following Marcao's red card, Rodrygo made a stunning shot on the spin, but Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos touched it onto the bar after Mbappe's header from a corner hit the crossbar. When Juanlu Sanchez fouled Rodrygo in the box, the birthday boy stepped up to score before dragging out Ronaldo's celebration as he doubled the lead for the Galacticos, who eventually won the hard-fought game.

With 29 goals in 24 games across all competitions, Mbappe has been a crucial member of Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid team despite their struggles this season. With 18 goals this season, the striker leads the Spanish rankings once more after winning the European Golden Shoe and La Liga's top scorer award the previous season.

When Mbappe moved to Madrid in the summer of 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain, he acknowledged that he had pictures of Portuguese legend Ronaldo on the walls of his bedroom as a child and that signing with Madrid was his ambition. Interestingly, Mbappe also imitated Ronaldo's signature celebration, claiming it was a tribute to the legendary Portuguese player and Madrid's all-time top scorer. 

Mbappe currently has 73 goals in 83 games, while Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, who is Real Madrid's all-time greatest goalscorer, has 450 goals in 438 games. There is still a mountain to climb for the Frenchmen. But, as they say, records are meant to be broken. So we can surely expect our prince to go for the ultimate glory. 

The successor of Ronaldo has arrived. 

THE G.O.A.T. TOUR

 

Image Credit- The Hindustan Times.

In December 2025, Argentinian footballing legend Lionel Messi visited India as part of his G.O.A.T. India Tour. The visit comprised public appearances, exhibition games, community events, and cultural exchanges in multiple Indian cities. Interestingly, Messi hasn't been to India since 2011. Hence, there was a sense of excitement all around.

The tour schedule comprised 4 stops:

a. Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

b. Hyderabad, Telangana;

c. Mumbai, Maharashtra

d. New Delhi.

Moreover, Messi, along with Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, also visited the Ambani's in Jamnagar before heading back home. In the tour, Messi interacted with fans, took part in demonstration games, started marketing efforts, and assisted with youth football programs in every city. Barring the Kolkata event, the tour was smooth and pleasant.

But the moment that will always be remembered by the Indian football fans was when Messi met Sunil Chhetri in Mumbai. It was truly emotional. The Legend of World Football with the Legend of Indian Football. 

A YEAR TO REMEMBER

 

Image Credit- Al-Jazeera.

2025 is coming to a spectacular end for Paris Saint-Germain. After winning the Trophée des Champions, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup this year, the PSG's men's team just won a sixth trophy in 2025—the most in a single calendar year—by winning a 2-1 penalty shootout after a fierce 1-1 draw with CR Flamengo over 120 minutes.

Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo overcame African champions Pyramids and Mexicans Cruz Azul to earn the chance to play PSG in the final. Remarkably, with a tenacious performance, Flamengo pushed the European champions all the way.

As the game started, PSG felt that they had grabbed the lead in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz brilliantly hooked the ball into an empty net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi miskicked a clearance while trying to prevent a corner. But the goal was ruled out by VAR because Rossi had narrowly failed to stop the ball from going out of play. Eight minutes before halftime, PSG managed to break the impasse thanks to another Rossi blunder. Desire Doue's low cross appeared to be too strong for Kvaratskhelia, but the Argentinian turned it right into the Georgian's pass for the easiest of tap-ins.

However, Flamengo managed to stay in the match, and following a VAR review, they were given a penalty for Marquinhos' foul on Uruguay midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta at the hour mark. Jorginho, a former player for Chelsea and Arsenal, stepped in and took the penalty wherein he sent Safonov the wrong way.

Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele were sent on by PSG in an attempt to force a victory, which gave Marquinhos a final opportunity. However, the ball flashed across the goal, and the game went into extra time because the center-back was unable to react fast enough to get his effort on target.

In the extra thirty minutes, both teams had half-chances; in the 116th minute, Dembele flashed a shot that was just off target. That made it possible for Safonov to steal the show by filling in for usual first-choice Lucas Chevalier, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury.

With this triumph, Paris Saint Germain also reached the historic milestone of 50 victories in all competitions in 2025—the club's highest total to date. A feat they have never achieved before. Hence, the Parisians will surely remember 2025 for a long time.