Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder talks about new role under Arbeloa before Man City showdown: ‘He has asked me to…’
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni believes the team can produce a big performance when they face Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Real Madrid will welcome the English champions to the iconic Santiago Bernabeu for what promises to be another intense European night.
Over the years, the Bernabeu has built a reputation for hosting dramatic Champions League matches, and Tchouameni believes the fans can once again play a major role.
The Bernabeu atmosphere
Speaking ahead of the clash, the French midfielder highlighted the unique atmosphere the stadium creates during European fixtures.
“The Bernabeu is incredible in Champions League matches. The whole team is looking forward to returning home to play Champions League matches.
“We know it’s going to be difficult, but we have the quality and the opportunity to win these kinds of matches too.
“With the support of the fans and our hard work, I am confident that we can do something important,” he said.
Talks with Arbeloa
Tchouameni appeared on the club’s internal media programme Real Talks (h/t Mundo Deportivo), where he discussed several aspects of his role within the team.
The midfielder explained that manager Alvaro Arbeloa has encouraged him to become more involved in attacking situations.
According to the French international, the coach has asked him to push higher up the pitch when the opportunity arises, something that has already led to goals in recent matches.
“Arbeloa has asked me to push forward a little more in attack, and I have the opportunity to score more goals.
“I know what I have to do on the pitch. Win balls, try to play with my teammates and bring energy, be a leader too. I try to help as much as I can,” he said.
Relationship with the teammates
During the interview, Tchouameni also answered lighter questions from supporters, offering insight into the relationships he has built inside the dressing room.
The midfielder revealed that he shares plenty of laughs with several teammates.
He mentioned Eduardo Camavinga, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kylian Mbappé as the players he jokes around with the most.
Finally, Tchouameni spoke about the teammate who has impressed him the most during daily training sessions.
“The teammate who has surprised me the most in training is Mendy. People don’t know this, but in training it’s like he’s playing with his kids,” he noted.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller
Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.
As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place.
Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul
Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal.
Kylian Mbappé is the youngest-ever player to reach 100 Champions League appearances (27y 298d). Lionel Messi’s record is broken (28y 84d). 💯 https://t.co/QxB7jmGlop
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 14, 2026
At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.
As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.
Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe
Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.
📊 Only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi scored more goals in their first 100 Champions League matches than Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has netted an incredible 𝟕𝟐 goals in his first century of matches. 🔥 https://t.co/77Yg7DdD6L
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) October 15, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark
Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.
Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.
𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐂𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒 😲👏 That is now 72 UCL goals for him, breaking into the top 5 😮💨 𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨: 👇 140 ⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo 129 ⚽ Lionel Messi 107 ⚽ Robert Lewandowski 90 ⚽ Karim Benzema 72 ⚽ Kylian Mbappé 71 ⚽ Raúl Where will he finish on the all-time UCL top scorers list? 👀
— 433 (@433) October 14, 2026
Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.
Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record.
The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.
