Kylian Mbappe aspires to have a career like Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo | OneFootball

Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe has always admired Cristiano Ronaldo and according to L’Equipe, he said that he aspires to have a career like the Portuguese great.

“I was a child who dreamt many things but above all was having a career like Cristiano Ronaldo,” said the forward, who will be presented as the new Real Madrid player on July 16.

When Mbappe was a child, he had posters of Ronaldo on his wall, dreaming of emulating his idol’s success.

On the upcoming Friday, he will have the opportunity to face his icon on the field when France take on Portugal, hoping to defeat his idol and advance in the Euros.

Interestingly, this is not the first time these two footballers will share the pitch. They first met during the 2017-18 Champions League Round of 16.

In that encounter, Real Madrid, led by Ronaldo, easily defeated Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain with an aggregate score of 5-2. That victory helped Ronaldo secure his fourth and final Champions League trophy with Real Madrid.

A lot has changed since

This upcoming game has a different context compared to their previous encounter. Back in 2017-18, Mbappe was just getting started. He was full of potential, generating a lot of excitement, but he was not yet the complete player.

Now, at 25 years old, Mbappe is considered one of the best players in the world. He has developed into a phenomenal talent, shouldering the hopes of the French national team.

Kylian Mbappe had posters of Cristiano Ronaldo while growing up. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

For Mbappe, the journey from an aspiring teenager with posters of Ronaldo on his wall to one of the leading players in world football has been remarkable.

Friday’s game symbolises more than just a clash between two football teams; it’s a face-off between a football legend and a young star who dreams of achieving similar greatness.

Ronaldo, a former Real Madrid legend, now stands as a benchmark for Mbappe, who aims to leave his mark on the same club and the global stage.

As the lights shine bright on Friday night, the world will watch as Mbappe takes on his idol. The game will be a testament to how far he has come since their first encounter and how close he is to reaching the heights of his icon.

Mbappe’s dream is to follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps, and this match could be a significant step towards that goal.

The anticipation and excitement surrounding this game are noticeable, as fans eagerly await to see whether Mbappe can rise to the occasion and lead France to victory, perhaps even surpassing the achievements of his childhood hero.