HAMBURG, Germany: Kylian Mbappé described Cristiano Ronaldo as a “footballing legend” and “one of a kind” as the superstars prepare to meet in the European Championship quarterfinals.
For many, the major subplot of the Portugal vs. France match in Hamburg on Friday is the head to head between their captains.
Mbappé has previously called Ronaldo his idol and he spoke in glowing terms about the 39-year-old striker who has said he is playing in his last European Championship.
“Everyone knows just how much I admire Cristiano Ronaldo as a player,” Mbappé said on Thursday in the pre-match news conference. “Over time, I have been lucky to brush shoulders with him, to get to know and have a chat with him. We are still in contact. He is always helping me — he keeps up with what is going on in my life and he gives me tips.
“It’s an honor for me, especially when we think about what he has done for the footballing world. Regardless of what has happened before or what happens after, he will be a footballing legend.”
Mbappé recently signed for Real Madrid, where Ronaldo starred from 2009-18, and now he could bring an end to his rival’s European Championship career.
So, does he see it as a “passing-of-the-baton” occasion?
“No, I think that he is one of kind,” Mbappé said. “There is only one Cristiano Ronaldo, there will only ever be one.
“I am following my own path. My dream of playing at Real Madrid is coming a reality. I hope that I will also be able to mark football but I am not going to write the next chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s story. I hope I will be able to be one of a kind at Real Madrid and be completely different.”
Mbappé, who was the top scorer at the 2022 World Cup with eight goals, has netted only once in three games at Euro 2024 — from the penalty spot — as the French struggle to get their attacking game flowing.
Indeed, no France player has scored from open play, the team’s other two goals being own-goals.
Mbappé said he was having to modify his style of play for his country because of the different personnel behind him.
“A forward needs to adapt to all the different situations, to teammates, to different player profiles on the pitch,” he said. “We had different players when I first started — Paul Pogba, for example, in midfield and with him I knew I needed to get my head down and run. I call for the ball and the ball is at my feet.
“Now, it’s different. The idea is about analyzing the type of players you are playing with. With the players we have, maybe we can’t play into space because it isn’t their type of playing style. But if there are spaces, I love eating up those spaces.”
Among those being called out for particular criticism for France’s lack of a cutting edge in attack is Antoine Griezmann, who has played in two positions — central midfield and on the right wing — so far and was even dropped for the group closer against Poland.
Mbappé said Griezmann has “been in the firing line” and deserved better after playing 133 times for France and being a key member of the team that won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final in 2022.
“It is maybe a tough spell at the moment and it’s a shame we are kicking him while he is down,” Mbappé said. “It doesn’t sit well with me — he is one of the best players in modern French football.”

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Sport has launched the latest phase of the Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project to privatize 14 more clubs.

Initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last June, the project, rolled out in collaboration with the National Privatization Center, aims to accelerate the sports industry in the Kingdom by inviting business sector involvement with clubs.

Six additional clubs are now available for privatization starting in August: Al-Zulfi, Al-Nahda, Al-Okhdood, Al-Ansar, Al-Orouba, and Al-Kholoud. The clubs have been selected based on their operational readiness, financial health, administrative capabilities and athletic facilities.

An additional eight clubs — Al-Shoalah, Hajar, Al-Najmah, Al-Riyadh, Al-Rawdhah, Jeddah, Al-Taraji and Al-Sahel — will all also be up for privatization at a later stage.

Following the successful privatization of Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad during the first phase, the project now advanced into phase two.

As part of the commitment to accelerate the transformation of the sports sector, the project seeks to enhance the administrative and financial governance of clubs, creating new opportunities for sports investment in the country to develop club infrastructure, among other things. This, in turn, will take fan experiences to new levels, the ministry’s statement said.

The Roshn Saudi League has shown significant commercial revenue growth from last season after the privatization of clubs, with a goal to potentially reach an annual total of 1.8 billion Saudi riyals ($479,819).

With more than 80 percent of the population following, watching or playing football, the league’s development is enhancing the sport and entertainment experience for a big fanbase. This progress is raising the bar for clubs in the league, encouraging them to invest in facilities and stadiums.

With the help of the ministry, Al-Fateh, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Taawoun, Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal all moved into their own home stadiums during the 2023-24 season.

The Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project operates through two primary tracks. The first involves granting permission for businesses and development organizations to invest in sports teams in return for ownership transfer. The second involves offering publicly owned sports clubs for privatization. Investors interested in participating in this project can visit the ministry’s website for application details and further information.