by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 4 (Xinhua) -- With the 2022 FIFA World Cup runners-up and the Euro 2016 winners set to take each other on Friday evening, the match in Hamburg will be far from ordinary.
For many, France versus Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals represents the unique showdown of Kylian Mbappe versus Cristiano Ronaldo.
Not only will superstars from two different generations compete on the Hamburg pitch, millions of fans will watch their heroes.
While France's Mbappe is heading for the future in the shirt of Real Madrid, 39-year-old Ronaldo has entered the autumn of his glittering career.
The special relationship between both players increases fans' excitement. Portugal's veteran was Mbappe's role model in his early years.
A photo shows a teenage Mbappe posing on his bed in his family home, dressed in blue jeans and a green sweater, and giving looks of admiration to his walls covered with posters of Ronaldo.
Mbappe having to play with a protective mask due to a broken nose might give the challenge a special touch, while Ronaldo may find himself ahead of his final Euro encounter, after he announced: "This will definitely be my last Euro."
14 goals in 29 games has made Ronaldo the competition's all-time record goalscorer.
Mutual appreciation comes with the quarterfinal duel, as both superstars communicate with each other on social media.
While Mbappe posted the photos with Ronaldo on posters in the background, along with the two at a chance meeting, Ronaldo said of Mbappe: "He is the presence and the future of football. A fantastic player, very fast. He owns the coming years."
After Mbappe announced his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote: "From now on it is on me to watch you. I am pleased to see how you will enlighten the Bernabeu."
2018 World Cup winner Mbappe spoke of Ronaldo as his inspiration, alongside French midfield icon Zinedine Zidane.
The two have played each other four times, with two games each for club and country. Ronaldo has taken two wins with Real Madrid, with both international fixtures ending 0-0 and 2-2, with Ronaldo scoring both goals.
Portugal supporters will hope their hero can repeat the success of 2016 when their team beat tournament hosts France 1-0 in the final after extra-time.
"They are the favorites and we are entering a fierce fight," the Portugal veteran said, while teammates spoke of a parting gift for the departing striker in the form of the 2024 title. ■
