Portugal and France squared off in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. Even though both teams will field a number of elite players, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Ronaldo and Mbappe are engaged in a gladiatorial match.
The two symbols have shared pitches before. This is not the first time. Real Madrid easily defeated Mbappe’s PSG 5-2 on aggregate in their matchup in the 2017–18 Champions League last 16, which helped Ronaldo win his fourth and final Champions League trophy in Spain.
Mbappe had not yet made it into the senior France squad when they were defeated by Ronaldo’s Portugal in the 2016 Euro championship. However, Ronaldo scored twice in a 2-2 draw during the group stages to help Portugal advance to the Euro 2020 knockout stages.
The setting of this match in Hamburg is completely different from that of the Champions League match six years ago. Mbappe was a 19-year-old on loan from Monaco at the time, full of excitement and potential but still a long way from becoming the polished product.
Currently 25 years old, he is considered the greatest player in the world and the guy who will carry France’s dreams of winning a European championship for the first time since 2000, if they are lucky enough to win this tournament.
