Kylian Mbappe Honored to Face Cristiano Ronaldo in Euro 2024

Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid, pays homage to Cristiano Ronaldo as France gears up to compete against Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarter-final. The 25-year-old Mbappe admires Ronaldo’s achievement of four Champions League titles with the club. The two will face off in Hamburg on Friday (kick-off 20:00 BST), a match Mbappe is enthusiastically awaiting.

“Cristiano has always been a source of admiration for me. We’ve gotten to know each other over time and maintain contact. The opportunity to play against him, given all his contributions to football, is an honor,” Mbappe declared. He recognized Ronaldo’s legendary status, coupled with a hopeful desire for a French victory to progress to the semi-finals.

The upcoming match has assumed symbolic resonance, as Ronaldo, 39, has stated this will be his final Euros. It represents a symbolic passing of the torch between these two outstanding players. Kylian Mbappe acknowledges Ronaldo’s uniqueness while standing firm in his quest to carve out his own lasting legacy at Madrid.

“There’s only one Ronaldo. My aim is to write my own Madrid narrative,” Mbappe elaborated. “He has inspired generations and left an imprint on football. It’s not about envy, but admiration for his greatness.”

Bernardo Silva of Portugal, a former teammate of Mbappe at Monaco, lauded him while emphasizing the collective effort. “The match isn’t about Mbappe and Ronaldo; it’s about Portugal versus France,” Silva stated.

Even amidst a successful qualifying campaign, criticism has targeted Portugal coach Roberto Martinez. Undeterred, Martinez continues his commitment to nurturing the players’ performance. He underlines the importance of fostering an environment conducive to player development and the achievement of success.

In terms of team news, Portugal faces no injury worries but may rotate the squad following an intense match against Slovenia. Adrien Rabiot’s suspension and Kingsley Coman’s departure from the French team due to the birth of his child have altered the team’s lineup and dynamics.

Additionally, statistics underscore France’s robust record against Portugal along with their recent struggles in scoring goals. Portugal is striving to prevent a third successive match without a goal.