Mbappe idolizes Cristiano, but it could end up being his last Eurocup

Mbappe, the new face of Real, and Ronaldo, a man coming to the end of an era that included successes at the Bernabeu that Kylian can only hope to match.

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe They first met 12 years ago; Ronaldo, the galaxy real Madridand Mbappe, an unknown kid from Paris, at the Merengue training base.

There’s a photo from that day in December 2012, taken at the Valdebebas training centre in Madrid. Ronaldo is smiling and giving a thumbs-up, and Mbappe looks like an impressed teenager.

This Friday in Hamburg they will meet again. Now it is Mbappe, the new face real MadridAnd Ronaldoa man who is reaching the end of an era of greatness that includes successes at the Bernabeu that Mbappe can only hope to match. At 39, Ronaldo is living out his final days as a global superstar. Mbappe is one of those vying to take his place.

At 14 years old, a room Mbappe Her home in Bondy, a northeastern suburb of Paris, was covered with pictures of Ronaldo. He watched videos of his goals on YouTube. When your free transfer Paris Saint-Germain To real Madrid In June, following in the footsteps of his childhood idol, Ronaldo commented on the France international’s Instagram post, saying “it’s my turn to watch.” The comment has racked up more than five million likes on the social network.

It may be ironic that Mbappewho has openly expressed the inspiration he drew from Ronaldo, could end up playing a key role in the final stage of his hero’s career. Ronaldo said that if Portugal lose to France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, it will be their last appearance at the European Championship.

“Without a doubt, this is my last Euro,” he said after an emotional match against Slovenia in the last 16.

Ronaldo He scored his first international goal as a teenager at Euro 2004 20 years ago and won his only international trophy in Euro 2016. What speaks volumes about his longevity is that when he confirmed he would not play in another tournament, there was still some surprise, even though he will be 43 when the tournament starts. Euro 2028He’s been in the game so long that he’ll likely share the court with forward Marcus Thuram on Friday. Franceagainst whom Lillian’s father played Ronaldo in the semi-finals of the tournament World Championship 18 years ago.

After two decades and over 1,000 professional games, people stopped trying to guess when he would retire. I could still keep going until 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. during two years.

Race Ronaldo (895 goals in 1230 games) was so outstanding that MbappeThe 24-year-old, considered one of the best strikers in the world, will need to score 40 goals a season for the next 14 years to match his astonishing tally (he currently has 336 goals in 455 games). He real Madrid They can only hope he gets closer to that after finally landing the player they’ve been chasing since 2012.

Mbappe made his name at Monaco and PSG, but his move to Madrid will take him to another level of glory, just as Ronaldo did in 2009. One of the world’s best players moving to the world’s greatest club is a perfect combination, just like when Ronaldo arrived from Manchester United world record 15 years ago. Now Mbappe feels the same way.

Ronaldo is perhaps the only player who knows that Mbappe They will face intense scrutiny in the Spanish capital, but they face a different kind of pressure heading into Hamburg.

Mbappe is a star at the peak of his powers, expected to score the goals that will help France win. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is struggling to prove he still deserves a place in the Portugal squad, amid a heated debate at home about whether he, past his prime, is a help or a hindrance to the team.

Both have had their ups and downs in Germany. Mbappe scored a penalty against Poland in the group stage but looked less than stellar wearing a mask to protect a broken nose from a knock he suffered in the first game against Austria.

Ronaldo to play sixth match European Cuphad yet to score and miss a penalty in extra time against Slovenia. He burst into tears when he saw his mother Dolores visibly sad in the stands, but was able to calm down, score in the shootout and help Portugal advance.

Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final in Qatar two years ago by former coach Fernando Santos, a decision that at the time seemed to end his international career. Reinstated by Santos’ predecessor, Roberto Martinezscored 10 goals in a near-flawless qualifying campaign. However, the questions will not go away.

At almost every press conference in Germany, Martinez was asked whether Ronaldo should continue playing at this level. However, each time he cited figures to support his position. Ronaldo scored 50 goals in 51 games for Al-Nasr last season – albeit in the Saudi Professional League, which is not considered at the same level as European ones – while eventual replacements Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix scored 12 and 10 goals for the team PSG And Barcelonarespectively.

Martinez’s style of play – with full-backs licensed to push forward and plenty of crosses into the box – is designed to suit Ronaldo’s predatory instincts and will not change despite his captain’s lack of goals. At times against Slovenia, Ronaldo felt desperate; trying to do things his body no longer allows him to do and demanding free kicks all over the pitch.

Mbappe He hasn’t had it easy, either, and there have been suggestions in France that Didier Deschamps’ pragmatic approach is not bringing out the best in one of the world’s most exciting strikers. There is a persistent feeling that the team with the most talent at the Euros is relying too much on Mbappe to deliver moments of magic, rather than winning games with a fluid attacking system.

France were one of the favourites before the tournament, but managed to reach the last eight without scoring in open play. They had 20 attempts against Belgium in the last 16, but won thanks to an own goal from Jan Vertonghen. They remain favourites to beat Portugal and reach the semi-finals, although that may depend on whether they can beat Portugal and reach the semi-finals. Ronaldo or Mbappe They are having the best day.

Nine years after their first photo together in Madrid. Ronaldo And Mbappe They were photographed together again for the last time. European CupThis time it happened in the tunnel of the Puskas Arena stadium in Budapest after a 2-2 draw between the teams. Portugal and France in the group stage. They left the pitch together, swapped shirts and joked, knowing their campaigns would continue on different paths in the knockout stages. This time it was all or nothing, and only one of them would smile.