Champions League: Mbappe sets personal landmark as PSG sadvances to the semi-final ahead of Barca

Apr 17, 2024 - 09:09

Football star Kylian Mbappé continued his incredible goal-scoring form against Barcelona in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final. Paris Saint-Germain conceded first at Montjuic but came storming back in the second half with a Mbappé brace.

The Frenchman has now scored 41 goals in 42 appearances in 2023/24, making him the first player in the top five European leagues to reach the milestone figure of 40 goals this year.

Eight of those have come in the Champions League, meaning that he is currently the top scorer in Europe’s top club competition.

Last year Mbappé became PSG’s record scorer, overtaking Edison Cavani at the top of the charts. The legendary Uruguayan had scored 200 goals for the French club but Mbappé has now left him far behind, scoring his 251st goal for the club late on in the victory over Barcelona.

Describe the incredible goal-scoring, it has not been smooth sailing for the Frenchman this season. He was omitted from the club’s pre-season tour amid speculation that he was eager to move to Real Madrid. The prospect of a move to the Spanish capital has remained a constant throughout his PSG career and he seems destined to move to Madrid this summer.

In response to that uncertainty, Mbappé has been dropped by head coach Luis Enrique at times this season. He has not started in seven of PSG’s league matches to date but has not picked up any known injuries or suspensions. However, after Tuesday’s victory, PSG head coach Luis Enrique paid tribute to Mbappé's temperament.

“Mbappé has been a proper leader from the beginning to the end. Vitinha but also Ousmane [Dembele]” Luis Enrique said after the match. “It’s been a fantastic game by all of them”.

With rumours of a Real Madrid move persisting it seems that Mbappé will finally sign for the Spanish giants this summer. It has looked like his final destination since breaking through with Monaco at the age of 17 and there is a striker-shaped hole at the focal point of Madrid’s attack. But even if he does leave Paris this summer he has the chance to procure the perfect leaving gift, a fitting end to his trophy-laden time at Parc des Prince: the Champions League. PSG are now just three games away from the promised land.

Mbappé's brace against Barcelona took him above Harry Kane at the summit by a single goal. But Kane, as well as Erling Haaland who is one behind the Englishman, are expected to be playing on Wednesday for Bayern Munich and Manchester City respectively.

Champions League 2023/24 top scorers:

8 Kylian Mbappé (PSG)

7 Harry Kane (Bayern)

6 Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)

6 Erling Haaland (Man City)

5 Julián Álvarez (Man City)

5 Galeno (Porto)

5 Rasmus Højlund (Man United)

5 Álvaro Morata (Atlético Madrid)

5 Phil Foden (Man City)

4 Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

4 Evanilson (Porto)