France captain Kylian Mbappe says it is “an honour” to play against Cristiano Ronaldo as his country prepares to take on Portugal in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Mbappe recently 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 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.”
Ronaldo 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.
Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva played with Mbappe at Monaco and said he always “stood out from the crowd”.
“Kylian is a wonderful player and started with us at AS Monaco when he was 16. I remember after his first week we would say ‘who’s this kid?'” added Silva.
“I am so delighted for him that he was able to have a wonderful career. I wish him the best but not [against us] obviously. I want us to qualify.”
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has faced criticism for his team selection and their performance so far in the tournament.
They needed extra time and a penalty shootout to overcome Slovenia in their last-16 tie on Monday.
This will be Portugal’s seventh appearance in the quarter-finals of the Euros – the most of any side since the round was introduced in 1996.
France are looking to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in the past five major tournaments.
France have failed to score a goal from open play in their past five matches, with their three goals at Euro 2024 coming from two own goals and a penalty by Mbappe.
Portugal have failed to score in their past two matches. They’ve never failed to score in three consecutive games at a major tournament.
Having scored 10 goals in nine major tournament games between 2018 and 2022, Portugal’s Ronaldo has now failed to score in his past eight appearances at the World Cup/Euros.
Euro 24: Mbappe Hails Ronaldo, Looks Forward To Quarter Final Clash With Portugal
