Wearing Real Madrid’s iconic jersey is a pressure-packed experience, and while many legends have represented the club, only a few made an immediate impact. Some struggled under the weight of expectations, but a special few thrived, leaving their mark. This list highlights the top four Real Madrid players who scored the most goals in their debut season.
Real Madrid: Ruud van Nistelrooy – 33 Goals (2006-07)
Ruud van Nistelrooy joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2006, and the fans were eager to see a proven goal-scorer in action. What they didn’t anticipate was that he would become the club’s most crucial player in his first season.
Van Nistelrooy netted 33 goals in all competitions, with 25 of those coming in LaLiga, which earned him the Pichichi Trophy. He was sharp inside the box and displayed remarkable finishing skills. His goals helped Real Madrid clinch the league title in his debut season.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 33 Goals (2009-10)
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as the greatest footballer in Real Madrid’s history. When he joined the club from Manchester United in 2009 for a world-record fee, the pressure was immense. However, he thrived under the spotlight. Ronaldo scored 33 goals in total, with 26 of them coming in LaLiga. His speed, trademark free-kicks, and powerful headers made him a force to be reckoned with.
His debut season was a clear indication that Real Madrid was entering a new era, and what followed was an illustrious chapter in the club’s history.
Real Madrid: Iván Zamorano – 37 Goals (1992-93)
Chilean striker Iván Zamorano ranks second on this list with 37 goals during the 1992/93 season. It set a high benchmark for newcomers to Real Madrid. Zamorano arrived from Sevilla and quickly became known for his goal-scoring hunger and aerial dominance.
He helped the team win the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa that season and became a fan favorite in his first year.
Kylian Mbappé – 38 Goals (2024-25)*
Kylian Mbappé, the star Real Madrid had been closely monitoring for several seasons, finally joined the club in the summer of 2024. The French forward’s transfer was filled with twists and turns, but once he arrived, the pressure to perform was immense. Mbappé has not disappointed. He has scored 38 goals in the current season, breaking Iván Zamorano’s long-standing record with a hat-trick against Barcelona.
Although Real Madrid has been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and lost the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey finals to Barcelona, Mbappé’s exceptional form has shown that the future is bright for him at the club.
