France star Kylian Mbappe is honoured to face Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and expresses his desire to become a "one of a kind" player at Real Madrid as well.
The two will go head-to-head on Friday when France take on Portugal, both teams vying for a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Mbappe has followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps by signing for Real Madrid, where the Portuguese legend spent nine years and scored 450 goals.
Mbappe acknowledges that the former Real Madrid star has been a significant influence on his career.
“It’s an honour. Everyone know just how much I admire Cristiano Ronaldo as a player,” he said ahead of the clash between France and Portugal.
“Over time I’ve been very lucky to brush shoulders with him, to get to know him, to have a chat with him, and actually we’re still in contact. He’s always helping me, he keeps up with what’s going on in my life and he gives me tips.
“It’s an honour for me, especially when we think about what he’s done for the footballing world. He is a footballing legend but we hope that we’re going to win tomorrow and get to the semi-finals.”
Asked if he envies anything about Ronaldo, Mbappe responded: “It’s about appreciation rather than envy, what he was, what he is. I don’t really envy him, I just like to admire the great player he is, one of a kind, there will never be another Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He has shaped football, he has inspired generations, his CV speaks for itself so total respect for him but as I said, I hope tomorrow he will be not as happy because I hope that it will be us going to the semi-finals.
“I’m following my own path. Now my dream of playing at Real Madrid has become a reality and I hope I will also make my mark but I’m not going to write the next chapter of Cristiano’s story. I hope that I will be able to be one of a kind at Real Madrid," he added.
Remember, France were defeated by Portugal on home soil in the Euro 2016 final, with Eder scoring an extra-time winner as Ronaldo provided instructions from the sidelines after being forced off due to injury.