HAMBURG, Germany, Jul 5 – Kylian Mbappe says it is “an honour” to play against Cristiano Ronaldo as France prepare to take on Portugal in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Frenchman Mbappe, 25, signed for Real Madrid this summer – a club where Ronaldo won four successive Champions League titles.
The two will go head-to-head in Hamburg on Friday (kick-off 20:00 BST) and Mbappe describes it as “a pleasure” to face Portugal’s five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“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.
“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.
“No matter what happened before or what happens after, he’ll always be a legend of the game. But of course we hope to win and reach the semi-finals.”
Last Euros for Ronaldo
Ronaldo, 39, said this week it would be his last Euros so this showdown with Mbappe is being described as a “handover” between two great players.
But Mbappe says the Portugal legend is “unique” and he will follow his own path when he begins his stint with 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,” he added.
“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.
“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 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.”
