Kylian Mbappe delivered a meaningful message to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the Euro 2024 quarter-final match against Portugal on the 5th.
Mbappe's France and Ronaldo's Portugal will battle each other to advance to the semifinals at 4 a.m. on the 6th (Korea time) in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 at Fox Park Stadion in Hamburg, Germany.
Mbappe expressed his determination to lead France to the semifinals even with Portugal as a scapegoat, although it is an honor to play on the ground with Ronaldo.
France, a World Cup finalist, missed the top spot in Group D at Euro 2024, and narrowly came from behind to win against Belgium in the second half of the round of 16, and reached the quarterfinals after trials. Portugal lost to Georgia in shock, but reached the round of 16 as No. 1 in Group F, drew 0-0 with ambush Slovenia in the round of 16, then reached the quarterfinals after extra time and penalty shootout.
France and Portugal, who were considered favorites, will meet early in the quarterfinals. The first confrontation between legendary Ronaldo, who declared this tournament to be the last, and Mbappe, the best striker in the field, is a hot point to watch. It is also interesting that Mbappe will wear a Real Madrid uniform from this season, where Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 games.
Mbappe said "Ronaldo is unrivaled and an icon of our time. He said, "He is an inspiration for all generations…" and expressed extreme respect ahead of the Euro 2024 quarter-final showdown. "It's an honor to play with him. Everyone knows my respect for Ronaldo. You can tell from his career. There will never be a player like him again." Nevertheless, he did not forget his determination to win. `I respect Ronaldo and he is still a legend of football, but I hope tomorrow we will win and take a step closer to reaching the finals.'
France have won 19 of their 28 matches against Portugal. In the final match of the Euro 2020 group stage, they couldn't decide the game with a 2-2 score.
Mbappe has been sluggish since he suffered a broken nose in the opening match against Austria. Ronaldo is also silent in his sixth Euro, with a total of 20 shots in vain, including a penalty kick chance in the first half of extra time against Slovenia. Just as heroes are active in this difficult situation, fans are paying keen attention to how Mbappe and Ronaldo, the world's best strikers, will perform for their country in the Euro 2024 best big match.
