Ronaldo set for epic showdown with Mbappe in Euro quarterfinals

A 3-0 penalty shootout victory over Slovenia on Monday night helped Portugal enter the Euro 2024 quarterfinals where they will face France.

France beat Portugal three times in the semifinals of Euro 1984, 2000 and the 2026 World Cup, while Portugal defeated France 1-0 in the final of Euro 2016 at Stade de France.

The upcoming clash will garner great attention when Ronaldo faces Mbappe for the first time in an official match, since the Euro group stage three years ago. If all competitions are included, these two stars have clashed twice, in the first and second legs of the round of 16 in the 2017-2018 Champions League, between Real Madrid and PSG. After two legs, Ronaldo scored three goals and helped Madrid win 5-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Kylian Mbappe after Portugal drew 2-2 against France at Puskas Stadium, Budapest, Hungary in Euro 2020 on June 23, 2021. Photo by PSG

This time the two stars will play as captains of Portugal and France. Mbappe joined Real Madrid this summer, after seven seasons with PSG. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is a Real Madrid legend with 450 goals in 438 matches from 2009-2018. The 39-year-old striker is now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

When Mbappe moved to Real Madrid, he received congratulations from Ronaldo.

"My turn to watch, excited to see you light up the Bernabeu," Ronaldo commented when Mbappe announced his move to Real Madrid. This comment received more than six million likes and became the most-liked comment of all time on Instagram.

Mbappe considered Ronaldo his childhood idol when he hung many posters of the Portuguese superstar on his wall at home. The 26-year-old striker also visited Real Madrid headquarters in 2013 for a trial, and took photos with Ronaldo. Since then, Mbappe has always dreamed of playing for Madrid.

In the Euro 2021 group stage, Portugal drew 2-2 with France and both teams entered the next round together. But the reunion in Hamburg on July 5 will be "dead or alive." The losing team will be eliminated and the winner will face Spain or Germany in the semifinals.