Alvaro Arbeloa has called Kylian Mbappe “the best player in the world” and compared him to the former. Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe scored a late second against Valencia last night, his 38th goal in another prolific season, in a 2-0 win for Arbeloa’s side. La Liga leaders moved back to within a point of Barcelona.

Ronaldo’s record in one campaign at Madrid was 61 goals in 2014/15 when Arbeloa was a team-mate and the current Madrid boss says Mbappe can better that figure.

“Cristiano’s achievement was something out of the world, impossible to match. But if anyone can, it’s Kylian,” he said. “Right now he is the best player in the world for which he is performing day in and day out and game after game.

“It looked like nobody could match Cristiano. Mbappé has a long way to go because Cristiano has been here for so many years, but he has conditions to follow and you never know if he can overcome them.”

Mbappe’s team-mate Alvaro Carreras, who set Madrid on their way with a 65th-minute opener at the Mestalla, was also in awe of the France striker.

“He’s a beast, it’s a privilege to be able to have him on our team,” he said.

Real Madrid veteran Carvajal out in the cold

It was not a night without major talking points for Madrid, however, as veteran right-back Dani Carvajal failed to make it onto the field.

The 34-year-old has returned to fitness after a serious knee injury but looks set to drop to third choice.

Arbeloa picked David Jimenez, who earned a promotion from the club’s reserve side Castilla, to start last night and then replaced him with England international Trent Alexander-Arnold with 14 minutes remaining.

Carvajal watched from the bench but was seen in an animated discussion with fitness coach Antonio Pintas after the game.

Asked about the situation, Arbeloa said: “David played well. The contribution he made was great and it’s good news for the team. And Trent, after being out for a long time, we’re going to proceed cautiously.

“With Dani, I see him getting better and better in training. I’m not going to take risks. Inside the dressing room he’s the first person to speak before games and you always hear him. It’s important to have a context like that in the dressing room.

“He will find his best level and his importance (to the team) will become more relevant.”

Madrid have a rare week off and are not in action until next Saturday when they host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.