Euro 2024: Mbappé praised hero Ronaldo before the Portugal match.
Before France's quarterfinal match against Portugal on Friday, Kylian Mbappé described Cristiano Ronaldo as "unique" and mentioned that the 39-year-old and the Frenchman are in regular contact.
Ankush Pandey
Mbappé's admiration for Ronaldo is well-known
when the France captain's recent free transfer to Real Madrid was revealed, he shared a photo of himself with his then-hero at the Madrid training facility in 2012.
"It's truly an honor, everyone knows the respect I have for him," Mbappé said of Ronaldo during a news conference on Thursday prior to the match in Hamburg. We remain in contact, and he is still a legend, but I'm hoping we can prevail tomorrow.
"He is a special player, and we must respect who he is and what he has accomplished. His resume is quite self-explanatory."
When asked if he intended to emulate Ronaldo following his transfer to Real Madrid, the Portuguese player's record goal scorer, Mbappé responded, "There is only one of him." I just want to go in my own direction.
"I hope I will write a great story in Madrid but it will be different."
During Euro 2024, Mbappé and France have had trouble communicating. They have only scored goals from their own goals and a penalty from the former Paris Saint-Germain player to advance, with the most recent one coming from Jan Vertonghen in a fierce round-of-16 match against Belgium. They have not scored in open play in four games.
There are rumblings of unhappiness in France due to the lack of flowing football, despite manager Didier Deschamps looking unconcerned during the press conference.
"I have seen joyful people, yet there are people who may not be happy. Without a doubt, winning 5-4 is more thrilling ".
"You critics are there to do what it is that you do. They have always existed in my day-to-day existence. It does not prevent me from living in peace now."
