Mbappe vs. Ronaldo: Real Madrid Galacticos Past & Future Clash

On Friday, Kylian Mbappe, who grew up with pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo on his wall, will face Ronaldo in person as France and Portugal meet in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. This match is shaping up as a notable showdown between Ronaldo and Mbappe, despite the presence of other world-class players on both teams.

The two stars have previously met on the pitch. In the 2017-18 Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid, with Ronaldo, defeated Mbappe's PSG 5-2 on aggregate. That year, Ronaldo secured his fourth and final Champions League trophy with Real Madrid. Mbappe, not yet part of France's senior squad, watched as Ronaldo's Portugal triumphed over France in the Euro 2016 final and later scored twice in a 2-2 draw during the Euro 2020 group stages, aiding Portugal's advance to the knockout rounds.

This encounter in Hamburg presents a different context from their Champions League meeting six years ago. Then, Mbappe was a 19-year-old on loan from Monaco, full of potential but still developing. Now, at 25, Mbappe is regarded as the world's best player and carries France's hopes for their first European title since 2000.

Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid this summer, where he is expected to become the central figure, a role Ronaldo once filled. Despite now playing club football in Saudi Arabia, the 39-year-old Ronaldo remains a significant figure.

Ronaldo's role in the Portugal team is debated, especially after a last-16 match against Slovenia where he missed free-kicks, had a penalty saved, and was visibly emotional. However, he proved reliable by scoring in the shootout, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa earning praise for three consecutive saves.

Mbappe expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, stating it is "an honour" to play against him. "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."

Ronaldo has announced that Euro 2024 will be his last, making this clash with Mbappe a significant moment. However, Mbappe emphasizes that Ronaldo is "unique" and he will forge his own path at 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," Mbappe stated. "I hope I'll write a great story there, but I'm certainly not going there to write the rest of Cristiano's story. What he did in Madrid is unique."

As both teams prepare for the match, the anticipation builds for this pivotal encounter between two football giants.