Crazy Time: Donning Real Madrid’s iconic jersey comes with immense pressure. While numerous legends have graced the club, only a select few made an immediate impact. Some faltered under expectations, but a remarkable few excelled, leaving an indelible mark. This list spotlights the top four players who netted the most goals in their debut season for Real Madrid.
Ruud van Nistelrooy – 33 Goals (2006-07)
Ruud van Nistelrooy arrived at Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2006, and fans were excited to witness a proven goal-scorer in action. What they didn’t expect was for him to become one of the club’s most vital players in his very first season.
Crazy Time: Van Nistelrooy scored a total of 33 goals across all competitions, with 25 of them coming in LaLiga, earning him the Pichichi Trophy. His sharpness inside the box and clinical finishing were standout qualities. His goals were instrumental in helping Real Madrid secure the league title in his debut season.
Crazy Time: Cristiano Ronaldo – 33 Goals (2009-10)
Crazy Time: Cristiano Ronaldo is widely considered the greatest player in Real Madrid’s history. When he made the high-profile move from Manchester United to Madrid in 2009 for a world-record fee, expectations were sky-high. Despite the pressure, Ronaldo excelled, scoring 33 goals in all competitions, with 26 of them in LaLiga. His speed, trademark free-kicks, and powerful headers made him a relentless force.
His debut season marked the beginning of a new era at the club, and what followed was a glorious chapter in Real Madrid’s rich history.
Iván Zamorano – 37 Goals (1992-93)
Chilean striker Iván Zamorano makes the list with an impressive 37 goals during the 1992-93 season. His performance set a new benchmark for incoming players at Real Madrid. Arriving from Sevilla, Zamorano quickly established himself as a goal-hungry, aerially dominant striker.
He played a key role in helping the team win the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa that season, becoming a fan favorite in his very first year.
Crazy Time: Kylian Mbappé – 38 Goals (2024-25)
Kylian Mbappé, a player Real Madrid had closely followed for several seasons, finally joined the club in the summer of 2024. His transfer was full of twists and turns, but once he arrived, the pressure to perform was immense. Mbappé rose to the challenge, scoring 38 goals in the current season, surpassing Iván Zamorano’s long-standing record with a hat-trick against Barcelona.
Crazy Time: Though Real Madrid has been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and lost both the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey finals to Barcelona, Mbappé’s exceptional performances have shown that he is set to be a key figure for the club in the future.
