The Euro 2024 Portugal vs France quarterfinal match is not just a rematch between the 2016 finalists but will probably be the last time fans will get to see Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo on the field together.
Mbappe has just been anointed as Real Madrid's main man after signing with the La Liga club over the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo was for a long time Los Blancos' superstar, winning the club four Champions League titles.
Club supporters will understandably be glued to the screens, while fans at the Volksparkstadion stadium are expected to cheer on every interaction between the two.
The pair had a relatively below-average individual campaign so far in the tournament.
CR7 has yet to score a goal, which, if it ever happens, will make him the oldest player to score in a European Championship.
Mbappe, on the other hand, has only scored one goal so far from the penalty. He also had a bad start to the tournament after breaking his nose in their first match.
Between the two, Cristiano is the one getting the most criticism, especially after he missed the penalty against Slovenia during the Round of 16.
Mbappe does not care about Ronaldo's struggle. For him, the Portuguese superstar remains an idol.
Mbappe wants to continue Ronaldo's Real Madrid legacy
The two's histories cross paths at the Santiago Bernabeu. Once the Euro 2024 is over, Mbappe hopes to build his own career at the world's most successful club.
He said playing for Real Madrid is a dream come true, and he wants to win there like Cristiano, but in a different way.
"I'm lucky to have the opportunity to live my dream playing for Real Madrid. But I'm not going there to write the rest of Cristiano's history," he said.
"What he has done there is unique. I also hope to do something unique at Madrid, but it will be completely different."
He also paid respect to the man who would go down as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
"I just want to admire the greatness of a unique player. There will not be two like him. He made history, inspired generations," Mbappe told reporters.
"His resume speaks for itself and he reinvented himself. [I have] respect for him, but I hope that tomorrow he will not be so happy and that we reach the semi-finals," Mbappe said.
Ronaldo feels the same way about Mbappe. When the French forward confirmed his transfer to Real Madrid, the five-time Ballon d'Or was the first to congratulate him.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Kylian Mbappe head-to-head
Mbappe has the youth at the moment, but Ronaldo has his numbers.
The two have played four matches against each other-two in the Champions League and two in Euro. CR7's side won two matches and drew the other two.
He scored five goals in total and made one assist in those four meetings with Mbappe.
The young French player only contributed one assist. It should be noted, too, that Mbappe was not yet part of the Les Bleus when Portugal beat France to win the Euro 2016 trophy.
Now is the time for Mbappe to strike and make himself worth as the next Real Madrid cornerstone.
Related article: Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms Future With Portugal National Team After UEFA Euro 2024
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