The first meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé occurred 12 years ago when Ronaldo was the established Real Madrid star and Mbappé was just an unknown kid from Paris. A photo taken at Madrid’s Valdebebas training centre in December 2012 captures the moment, with Ronaldo smiling and giving a thumbs up while Mbappé looks starstruck. Fast forward to today, and Mbappé is seen as the new face of Real Madrid, while Ronaldo is in the twilight of his illustrious career.
Mbappé, as a 14-year-old, had pictures of Ronaldo plastered all over his bedroom walls in Bondy, Paris. He watched videos of Ronaldo’s goals on YouTube, taking inspiration from his hero. When Mbappé made his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, Ronaldo acknowledged the transition, noting that it was now his turn to watch. The symbolic passing of the torch from idol to protege was further emphasized by Ronaldo’s comment receiving over five million likes on Instagram.
Ronaldo has declared that if Portugal loses to France in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, it will mark his final appearance at the European Championship. At 39 years old, Ronaldo has had an incredible career, scoring his first international goal at Euro 2004 and winning his first international trophy at Euro 2016. The fact that there is still a degree of surprise surrounding his retirement announcement is a testament to his enduring presence in the world of football.
As Ronaldo faces the end of his remarkable career, Mbappé stands at the cusp of greatness. Real Madrid finally secured Mbappé’s transfer after a pursuit that began in 2012. Mbappé’s move to Madrid is expected to elevate him to a new level of stardom, akin to what Ronaldo experienced when he joined the Spanish giants in 2009. However, Mbappé and Ronaldo find themselves in different circumstances as they prepare to face each other in Hamburg.
Both Mbappé and Ronaldo have faced challenges and criticisms during their respective journeys in Germany. Mbappé, despite his status as one of the best strikers in the world, has struggled to perform at his scintillating best. On the other hand, Ronaldo, playing in his sixth Euros, has yet to score and has faced questions about his effectiveness on the pitch. The pressure to deliver for their teams is immense, with Mbappé expected to be the catalyst for France’s success, while Ronaldo fights to prove his worth for Portugal.
The legacy of Ronaldo’s incredible career looms large over Mbappé, with the young French star needing to replicate Ronaldo’s phenomenal goal-scoring record over the next decade to come close to matching his achievements. Ronaldo’s impact on the world of football has been immense, and Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid is seen as a continuation of that legacy. As the two stars prepare to face off in Hamburg, the stage is set for a clash of generations and a glimpse into the future of football.