Mbappe’s Admiration for Ronaldo
French captain Kylian Mbappe expressed his excitement about facing his boyhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo when France meets Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday. “It is an honour. Everyone knows about my admiration for Cristiano,” Mbappe, 25, told reporters.
Childhood Inspiration
Mbappe’s admiration for Ronaldo dates back to his childhood, with his bedroom walls famously adorned with pictures of the Portuguese star. The young Frenchman met Ronaldo at Real Madrid’s training ground during a visit when the club tried to sign him.
Personal Connection
Over time, Mbappe and Ronaldo have developed a personal relationship, staying in contact and following each other’s careers. Ronaldo, 39, now plays club football in Saudi Arabia and has acknowledged this will be his last European Championship.
Facing His Idol
Despite his admiration for Ronaldo, Mbappe remains focused on the match. “It is an honour but it doesn’t matter what has happened before or will happen in the future,” he said. Mbappe, who is set to join Real Madrid after the tournament, added, “He remains a legend of the game but we hope to win tomorrow and take a step closer to the final.”