The 19-year-old forward, who trains daily alongside one of football’s all-time greats, is part of a promising Saudi Arabian generation aiming to make a statement on the global stage.
Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo-owned Pestana CR7 Hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco, avoided catastrophe recently when a fire broke out at the establishment but was quickly contained by the emergency services.
With 931 goals already to his name across club and country, Ronaldo needs just 69 more to etch his name into a category all his own.
Al-Nassr remain in the third place with 54 points but they are now three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven off leaders Al-Ittihad, who visit Al-Ahli on Saturday.
Mbappe idolised Ronaldo while growing up and after joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has equalled the Portuguese striker's tally of 33 goals in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Al-Nassr striker was highly critical of himself and his team's performance in the first leg in Copenhagen, where Portugal lost to a Rasmus Hojlund goal, but he is confident the home crowd can play a key role in turning the tie around.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi side Al Nassr were on Monday drawn against last season's runners-up Yokohama F-Marinos of Japan in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League.
With 31 goals across all competitions this season, Mbappe has now surpassed Brazilian icon Ronaldo’s tally from his debut campaign in 2002-03.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner winner has often been backed by his teammates to keep playing till the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi teams dominated the tournament's West zone league stage, with four-time Asian champions Al Hilal leading Al Ahli and Al Nassr in the top three in the final table.
Ronaldo turned 40 last week with his current contract due to end in June 2025.
The Portuguese great appeared to trade an end-of-career payday for football obscurity when he moved to Riyadh's Al Nassr two years ago in a deal said to be worth $250 million.
Al-Nassr’s Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has never been shy of making grand statements about his greatness and has declared himself the best ever to play the game of football many times.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri took the prestigious prize in October with favourite Vinicius in second place
Ronaldo is one of the 77 players nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s 11 of 2024, joining Messi among 22 forwards competing for a spot.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo had looked destined to endure a hugely frustrating game following a series of missed opportunities in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.
The Portuguese star, without a goal in his past three appearances for the Saudi Arabian side, netted the second of the hosts' goals at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a stoppage-time penalty and his Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr were eliminated from the King’s Cup in a 1-0 loss to Al Taawoun.
The men's shortlist for the 2023/24 edition of the prestigious individual award is the first since 2003 to feature neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo who hoovered up the prize 13 times between them.
