Since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Real Madrid has been searching for a new goal-scoring leader in derbies against Atlético de Madrid. With 22 goals in 31 matches against the rojiblancos, the Portuguese star left a void that neither Vinícius Jr. nor Rodrygo Goes have been able to fill. Now, with Kylian Mbappé's arrival, Madrid fans have renewed hope for dominance in these high-stakes encounters.

The current Madrid forwards have struggled to make an impact in derbies. Vinícius has played 14 times against Atlético and has only scored once, while Rodrygo has found the net twice in 12 games. Even Karim Benzema, who attempted to take on Ronaldo's role after his departure, only managed to score in five derbies. With this context, Mbappé’s challenge is clear: to become the decisive player when it matters most.

Mbappé's debut in a Madrid derby comes at a crucial moment. After missing the first clash of the season due to injury, the French star arrives in great form, though his scoring streak was recently halted in a loss against Espanyol. His ability to decide matches is undeniable, but now he must prove it in a game where Diego Simeone has consistently neutralized Madrid’s attacking stars, particularly their Brazilian forwards.

Atlético de Madrid has been a particularly difficult opponent for Vinícius, who has never scored against them in LaLiga, despite facing them more than ten times. His only goal against Atlético came in extra time of a Copa del Rey match, reinforcing the need for a lethal striker in these encounters. This is where Mbappé could make the difference and restore the constant threat that Ronaldo once imposed on Atlético.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s support, Real Madrid will rely on its attacking trio, hoping Mbappé steps up where others have failed. His speed, strength, and goal-scoring ability make him Madrid’s best bet to regain control of the derby. However, he will face a tough tactical challenge against an Atlético side that excels at shutting down top players.

Can Mbappé become the new Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid derbies? His first big test comes at the Santiago Bernabéu, where fans are eager to see if their new star can shine in a fixture once dominated by CR7.