'THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER CRISTIANO RONALDO': KYLIAN MBAPPE PRAISES VETERAN BUT SAYS HE IS NOT LOOKING TO EMULATE PORTUGUESE STAR FOR REAL MADRID AS HE PREPARES TO FACE HIS IDOL AT EURO 2024

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Kylian Mbappe paid his personal tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo as they prepare to meet for what could be the last time in competition.

Mbappe has always admired Ronaldo, grew up in Paris with posters of him on his walls and admits it is one of the key reasons he has long since dreamed of playing for Real Madrid.

This year he will complete his long-anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Bernabeu Stadium, a transfer which reinforces the notion of a changing of the guard between Europe's finest footballers across two generations.

First though, he leads France in search of another European title and he must conquer his hero to do so.

'There will never be another Cristiano Ronaldo,' said Mbappe. 'He has shaped football, inspired generations, scored goals and won cups. He has known how to reinvent himself. He is one of a kind.

'Me, I am following my own path. My dream to play for Real Madrid is becoming reality. I hope to make my mark on football and be one of a kind at Real Madrid, but I am not writing the next chapter of his story.

'I have total respect for him. I can only sing his praises. Over time I've been lucky to brush shoulders with him, meet him and get to know him. We are still in contact. He keeps up with my life, gives me tips.

'Playing against him is always an honour. Regardless of what happens after he will be a football legend. Of course, we hope he is not so happy, and we are going to reach the semi-final.'

Ronaldo scored two penalties the last time they met in a 2-2 draw in the group stage of the last Euros in 2021, the tournament where he became the first man to score in five Euros.

Now 39 and playing his club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for more than a year, he seems desperate to extend that record and score in his sixth.

He is misfiring in front of goal despite starting all four of Portugal's games, however, and saw a penalty saved by Jan Oblak in the first half of extra-time against Slovenia on Monday, bursting into tears before regaining his composure to find the net in a penalty shootout.

But Ronaldo will always be seen as a threat.

'He has the ability not just the motivation within him he is looking for the win,' said France boss Didier Deschamps. 'He can score goals and be decisive. Even though a little older, he is still a highly competitive player.'

Ronaldo's record of 130 goals in 211 international appearances looks capable of standing the test of time and yet Mbappe at 25 has 48 goals for France.

That is twice the number Ronaldo had for Portugal at the same age but Mbappe too is having a rough ride in Germany, suffering a broken nose in the opener against Austria and finding the protective mask uncomfortable.

Mbappe has scored only once, a penalty against Poland in the group stage.

'Against a team like Portugal is dangerous to say one player is more dangerous than the others,' said Mbappe when asked to identify the biggest threat.

'The easy answer would be Cristiano Ronaldo but that's overlooking the great players everywhere else, like Rafael Leao and Bruno Fernandes, and my teammates from PSG. There is always a heavy price to pay for overlooking great players.'

Bernardo Silva has a vivid recollection of the first time he saw Mbappe at Monaco. 'He was only 16 and after his first week training with us, Joao Moutinho and I looked at each other and said, who is this kid? He stood out from the crowd.

'In my last season with Monaco he scored so many goals, really shone in the Champions League and I was delighted to see his career blossoming.

'It is a wonderful career and I wish him all the best but not for this game.

'It is not Cristiano against Kylian it is Portugal against France and I want Portugal to qualify for the semi-finals.

'He and Cristiano are two unbelievable players at different stages of their careers. Cristiano is one of the best who ever played the game. Kylian is still going through the beginning and middle of this career.'

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2024-07-04T16:49:59Z dg43tfdfdgfd