Kylian Mbappe grew up idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo, with posters of the Portuguese star adorning his bedroom walls. On Friday, Mbappe will face Ronaldo on the pitch.
France and Portugal are set to meet in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. While both teams boast multiple world-class players, the spotlight is on the encounter between Ronaldo and Mbappe.
This isn't their first meeting. They previously faced off in the 2017-18 Champions League Round of 16, where Real Madrid defeated Mbappe’s PSG 5-2 on aggregate, leading to Ronaldo's fourth and final Champions League title with the club.
Mbappe was not yet part of the senior French squad when they lost to Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Euro 2016 final. Ronaldo scored twice in a 2-2 draw during the group stages of Euro 2020, helping Portugal advance to the knockout rounds.
The context of this match in Hamburg differs from their Champions League encounter six years ago. Then, Mbappe was a 19-year-old on loan from Monaco, brimming with potential but not fully realized. Now, at 25, he is widely regarded as the world’s best player and carries the weight of France’s hopes for their first European title since 2000.
This summer, Mbappe will join Real Madrid, expected to become the team's central figure, much like Ronaldo in his prime. Despite now playing club football in Saudi Arabia, the 39-year-old Ronaldo remains a prominent figure.
Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal team has been debated, especially after a last-16 match against Slovenia highlighted by missed free-kicks, a saved penalty, and an emotional outburst. However, he still delivered when needed, scoring in the shootout, though goalkeeper Diogo Costa's three consecutive saves stole the spotlight.
Mbappe expressed his admiration for Ronaldo as France prepares to face Portugal. "It's the admiration I've always had for Cristiano, for the player. Over time, I've had the chance to get to know him and talk to him many times. We're still in touch," said Mbappe. "Playing against him is an honor for everything he's done in football."
Ronaldo announced this week that this would be his last Euros, framing this match as a symbolic "handover" between two great players. However, Mbappe emphasized Ronaldo's uniqueness. "There will only be one [Ronaldo]. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to start living my dream as a player in Madrid," he said.
Mbappe looks forward to carving out his own legacy at Real Madrid. "I hope I'll write a great story there, but I'm certainly not going there to write the rest of Cristiano's story. What he did in Madrid is unique."
Reflecting on Ronaldo's impact, Mbappe said, "He left his mark on the history of football. He inspired generations. He has scored many goals and won many titles. So his CV speaks for itself."
The match promises to be a significant chapter in the careers of both players as they strive to lead their teams to victory.
