As Portugal gears up to face France in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, all eyes seem to be on the epic showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé. The match is being hyped up as a passing of the baton from the seasoned Ronaldo to the rising star Mbappé, with both players leading their national teams into battle at Volksparkstadion. However, according to Bernardo Silva, there is more to this game than just a duel between two football icons.
Silva, who has had the privilege of playing alongside both Ronaldo and Mbappé, emphasized that the focus should be on the teams rather than the individual players. He highlighted the contrasting stages of their careers, pointing out that Ronaldo is a seasoned veteran while Mbappé is still in the early or mid stages of his career. Silva stressed that the ultimate goal is for Portugal to emerge victorious against France, not for Ronaldo or Mbappé to outshine each other on the field.
Acknowledging his past camaraderie with Mbappé during their time together at Monaco, Silva expressed his admiration for the French forward. However, he made it clear that their friendship will be put on hold during the high-stakes quarterfinal clash. Silva acknowledged Mbappé’s talent but made it known that his allegiance lies with Portugal in their pursuit of Euro 2024 glory.
Following Portugal’s nail-biting round-of-16 match against Slovenia, where they advanced to the quarterfinals via a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, the team faced criticism for their performance. In particular, coach Roberto Martínez’s decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch despite calls for substitution raised eyebrows. However, Martínez defended his choices, stating that every decision he makes is in the best interest of the team. He welcomed the criticism as a sign of people’s passion for the national team and reiterated his commitment to making decisions based on what he believes is right for the team’s success.
As Portugal prepares to take on France in a high-stakes quarterfinal clash, the focus remains on the collective effort of the team rather than individual star power. While the spotlight may be on Ronaldo and Mbappé, it is the performance of the entire Portuguese and French squads that will ultimately determine the outcome of this crucial match. With both teams boasting exceptional talent, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that could shape the trajectory of Euro 2024. As the teams gear up for battle, the spotlight will shift from individual rivalries to the collective pursuit of victory on the international stage.