A Clash of Titans: Kylian Mbappé's Admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo Amidst European Championship Quarterfinal Matchup
In the vibrant city of Hamburg, Germany, the highly anticipated European Championship quarterfinal between Portugal and France ignited a wave of excitement among football enthusiasts. However, beyond the fierce rivalry between the two nations, a captivating subplot emerged: the anticipated meeting of two footballing icons, Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappé, the prodigious French forward, has openly expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, describing him as an unparalleled footballing legend. Everyone knows just how much I admire Cristiano Ronaldo as a player, Mbappé declared at a pre-match press conference. Over time, I have been fortunate to interact with him, to get to know him, and to engage in conversations. We maintain contact, and he consistently offers me guidance and support. It's a tremendous honor for me, particularly when we consider his remarkable contributions to the world of football.
Ronaldo, the Portuguese captain and one of the most decorated players in football history, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His illustrious career, spanning over two decades, has been marked by countless accolades, including five Ballon d'Or awards and numerous league and cup titles.
Mbappé's respect for Ronaldo extends beyond the pitch. The French forward acknowledges Ronaldo's profound influence on his own footballing journey. He is always helping me - he keeps up with what is going on in my life and he gives me tips, Mbappé said. It's an honor for me, especially when we think about what he has done for the footballing world.
Despite the mutual admiration between the two players, the upcoming match pits them against each other in a high-stakes quarterfinal clash. Mbappé, who recently signed for Real Madrid, where Ronaldo previously played from 2009 to 2018, could potentially end Ronaldo's European Championship career. However, Mbappé dismisses the notion of a symbolic passing of the torch.
No, I think that he is one of a kind, Mbappé emphasized. There is only one Cristiano Ronaldo, there will only ever be one. I am following my own path. My dream of playing at Real Madrid is coming a reality. I hope that I will also be able to mark football but I am not going to write the next chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo's story. I hope I will be able to be one of a kind at Real Madrid and be completely different.
Mbappé, who emerged as the top scorer at the 2022 World Cup with eight goals, has faced criticism for his performance at Euro 2024. Despite netting once from the penalty spot, he has failed to find the back of the net in open play, a statistic that mirrors the French team's overall struggles in attack.
To address the team's attacking deficiencies, Mbappé believes that he must adapt his style of play to suit the different personnel around him. A forward needs to adapt to all the different situations, to teammates, to different player profiles on the pitch, he explained. We had different players when I first started - Paul Pogba, for example, in midfield and with him I knew I needed to get my head down and run. I call for the ball and the ball is at my feet. Now, it's different. The idea is about analyzing the type of players you are playing with. With the players we have, maybe we can't play into space because it isn't their type of playing style. But if there are spaces, I love eating up those spaces.
Among those criticized for France's lack of attacking prowess is Antoine Griezmann, who has played in various positions so far and was even dropped for the group closer against Poland. Mbappé defended Griezmann, highlighting his exceptional contributions to the French team. It is maybe a tough spell at the moment and it's a shame we are kicking him while he is down, Mbappé said. It doesn't sit well with me - he is one of the best players in modern French football.
