Kylian Mbappé's Hat-Trick Silences Bernabeu as Real Madrid's Perfect Start Continues

Kylian Mbappé has announced his arrival at Real Madrid with a stunning hat-trick. The French superstar scored three times in a 4-1 LaLiga victory over Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, powering José Mourinho's side to a perfect start in the league.

Mbappé's Hat-Trick Ignites Mourinho's Madrid

Mbappé opened the scoring before halftime, but Luka Sucic equalized for Sociedad. The forward then took over after the break, netting a second-half brace to complete his treble. Jude Bellingham provided two assists in the win, with Vinícius Júnior also getting on the scoresheet. The result gave Madrid two wins from two under Mourinho. After the match, the manager was effusive in his praise. "This guy is incredible," said José Mourinho, the Real Madrid manager. "He looks hungry to make history with Real Madrid." Mourinho highlighted Mbappé's commitment, noting the player returned from holiday two days early.

Perfect Start Continues with Malaga Rout

Mbappé's form carried into the following weekend. On Sunday, August 30, he was on target again in a 4-0 demolition of Malaga at the Santiago Bernabéu. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a solo goal after 19 minutes. A Malaga own goal followed before Mbappé struck to make it three goals in just over 10 first-half minutes. Arda Güler added a late fourth. The victory made it three wins from three in LaLiga for Mourinho's new-look side, which saw Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella make their first starts of the season.

Guardiola Backs Kane for Ballon d'Or Over Mbappé

Despite Mbappé's electric start, he is not the current favorite for the 2026 Ballon d'Or according to one prominent voice. Pep Guardiola has publicly backed Harry Kane to win the award. The former Manchester City manager told Sky Sports that Kane's remarkable 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich last season, along with his role in winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, made him the deserving candidate. "If you ask me, Harry Kane should win the Ballon d'Or," Guardiola said. His comments placed Kane ahead of other high-profile contenders like Mbappé and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Mbappé Could End 19-Year Partnership with Nike

A major change could be coming for Mbappé off the pitch. Reports from France indicate the forward may have ended his sponsorship contract with Nike on July 31, 2026, after 19 years with the brand. According to journalist Thibaud Vézirian, Mbappé is not simply looking to switch to a rival like Adidas. Instead, he is reportedly considering a move to help launch a new brand into the football market. The project could grant the France captain his own product line and an equity stake in the company, a significant shift from a traditional endorsement deal.

• Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on August 26.
• Real Madrid have won their first three LaLiga matches under José Mourinho, including a 4-0 victory over Malaga.
• Pep Guardiola believes Harry Kane should win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, citing his 61-goal season.
• Mbappé may have ended his long-term deal with Nike and could launch his own brand.

Mbappé's immediate impact is a huge boost for Madrid as they look to maintain their lead. The coming weeks will reveal if his on-field exploits can sway the Ballon d'Or conversation and what his next commercial move will be.