Mbappe Calls It ‘An Honour’ to Face Ronaldo Ahead of Euro 2024 Quarter-Final

Hamburg, Germany – As France prepares to face Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, French forward Kylian Mbappe has expressed his admiration for Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, calling it an “honour” to play against him. The highly anticipated match, set to take place on Friday with a kick-off at 20:00 BST, will see two of football’s biggest stars go head-to-head.

Mbappe, 25, who recently signed for Real Madrid, a club where Ronaldo won four consecutive Champions League titles, spoke glowingly about Ronaldo in a pre-match interview. “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,” Mbappe revealed.

The Frenchman, who is poised to start his journey with Real Madrid, acknowledged Ronaldo’s influence on his career. “He’s always trying to give me advice and keep up to date with what’s going on. Playing against him is an honour for everything he’s done in football.”

As Ronaldo, 39, approaches what he has announced will be his final European Championship, the clash between him and Mbappe is being billed as a symbolic “handover” between two footballing greats. However, Mbappe insists that Ronaldo’s legacy is unparalleled and that he aims to carve out his own path in Madrid.

“There will only be one [Ronaldo]. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to start living my dream as a player in Madrid,” said Mbappe. “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.”

Mbappe emphasized the significance of Ronaldo’s achievements and his impact on the sport. “You have to appreciate what he has been, what he is. I’ve never been an envious person, so I just want to admire the greatness of the player,” he stated. “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.”

As France and Portugal prepare to clash in Hamburg, the focus will undoubtedly be on the battle between these two footballing titans. Mbappe, who has been in scintillating form, will be looking to lead his team to victory and secure a place in the semi-finals, while Ronaldo will aim to extend his illustrious career with another memorable performance.

The Euro 2024 quarter-final match between France and Portugal is more than just a game; it represents a meeting of the old guard and the new generation. Fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Mbappe can step out of Ronaldo’s shadow and begin to create his own legacy at the club where the Portuguese superstar made history.

With both players in peak form, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter, filled with skill, passion, and the undeniable magic that only the beautiful game can provide. Whether it is a farewell for Ronaldo or the beginning of a new chapter for Mbappe, this quarter-final clash will surely be remembered for years to come.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members