Kylian Mbappé hails Cristiano Ronaldo as 'one of a kind' before high-stakes Euro quarterfinal

The highly anticipated Portugal vs France match in Hamburg spotlights the head-to-head battle between the two.

As the European Championship quarterfinals loom, Kylian Mbappé has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as a "footballing legend" and "one of a kind." 

The highly anticipated match between Portugal and France in Hamburg on Friday features a significant subplot: the head-to-head battle between their iconic captains.

Mbappé, who has often referred to Ronaldo as his idol, spoke warmly about the 39-year-old striker, who is competing in his last European Championship. 

"Everyone knows just how much I admire Cristiano Ronaldo as a player," Mbappé said in the pre-match news conference on Thursday. 

"Over time, I have been lucky to brush shoulders with him, to get to know and have a chat with him. We are still in contact. He is always helping me — he keeps up with what is going on in my life and he gives me tips."

Mbappé, who recently signed with Real Madrid, where Ronaldo starred from 2009-18, acknowledged Ronaldo's unparalleled impact on football. 

"It’s an honor for me, especially when we think about what he has done for the footballing world. Regardless of what has happened before or what happens after, he will be a footballing legend," he added.

When asked if he views the match as a "passing-of-the-baton" moment, Mbappé dismissed the notion.

"No, I think that he is one of a kind. There is only one Cristiano Ronaldo, there will only ever be one. I am following my own path. My dream of playing at Real Madrid is coming true. I hope that I will also be able to mark football but I am not going to write the next chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s story. I hope I will be able to be one of a kind at Real Madrid and be completely different."

Despite being the top scorer at the 2022 World Cup, Mbappé has netted only once in three games at Euro 2024, from a penalty, as France struggles to find their attacking rhythm. 

No French player has scored from open play, with the team's other two goals being own-goals. Mbappé noted the need to adapt his style of play to the different personnel in the team.

"A forward needs to adapt to all the different situations, to teammates, to different player profiles on the pitch," he explained. 

"We had different players when I first started — Paul Pogba, for example, in midfield and with him I knew I needed to get my head down and run. I call for the ball and the ball is at my feet. Now, it’s different. The idea is about analyzing the type of players you are playing with. With the players we have, maybe we can’t play into space because it isn’t their type of playing style. But if there are spaces, I love eating up those spaces."

Antoine Griezmann, who has faced criticism for France's lack of attacking prowess, was defended by Mbappé. 

Griezmann has played in various positions and was even dropped for the group stage closer against Poland. 

"It is maybe a tough spell at the moment and it’s a shame we are kicking him while he is down," Mbappé said.

"It doesn’t sit well with me — he is one of the best players in modern French football."