Watch the match between Portugal and France in the European Championship

Kylian Mbappé, the captain of the French national team, praised Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Portugal in Germany tomorrow, Friday. France qualified after overcoming Belgium, while Portugal needed penalties to win against Slovenia in the Round of 16.

Mbappé's Praise for Ronaldo:

In a press conference, Mbappé, who has scored one goal in the tournament from a penalty, stated, "Ronaldo is unique, and there will never be another Cristiano Ronaldo." He added, "He has inspired a whole generation, scored many goals, and won many titles; his career speaks for itself. But I hope he is disappointed in tomorrow's match."

Discussing the upcoming France vs. Portugal match in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, Mbappé described Cristiano Ronaldo as an "unparalleled legend," emphasizing that no player can replace him in football. However, Mbappé stressed that France should not focus solely on Ronaldo but be cautious of all Portuguese players, warning against underestimating any member of the Portuguese team who could pose a threat.

Challenges for the French Attack:

Mbappé noted that the French team has struggled offensively in the tournament, having scored only one goal out of three, with his penalty against Poland being the sole goal. He pointed out that goals against Austria and Belgium came from defensive mistakes. Mbappé emphasized that Euro matches are always tough and decisive with fine details, stressing the importance of his team performing well in both attack and defense.

Mbappé's Hopes for Tomorrow's Match:

Mbappé concluded by wishing for a stellar performance from the French team tomorrow, aiming to reach the semi-finals and advance towards the title, underscoring the importance of winning and qualifying.

France's Focus on the Present:

Kylian Mbappé reiterated that their primary goal is to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals, highlighting the importance of the upcoming match against Portugal and focusing on the present rather than the future. He discussed his nose injury during the Austria match and his absence against the Netherlands, expressing his return with a protective mask for the Poland and Belgium matches.

He confirmed that he has not shown his best form in the tournament so far but refused to make excuses, expressing his physical and mental readiness to support his team in this crucial stage. Mbappé mentioned that he will be better physically with his new team in the summer, focusing on delivering a top performance in tomorrow's match and striving to reach the finals, expressing his desire to win the title and seize every opportunity.

Jules Koundé's Standout Performance:

Jules Koundé delivered one of his best performances for the French national team against Belgium in the Euro Round of 16, showcasing excellent defensive skills and also contributing offensively. He was named the best player in that crucial match, where France won 1-0 against Belgium.

Playing for Barcelona, Koundé expressed his happiness and pride in his performance, stating that he feels physically good and has great confidence from his teammates and coach. He hopes to bring this strong performance to the quarter-final match against Spain, testing his and his team's capabilities in the Euro 2024 competition.

Defensive Line Confidence

The French defensive line, consisting of Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, and Theo Hernandez, has the full confidence of coach Didier Deschamps, who has not changed the defensive lineup in the four matches of Euro 2024 held in Germany. They have been solid in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Koundé has shown significant development since the beginning of the season, with Deschamps praising his self-confidence, good physical condition, and mental readiness. The coach clarified that he hasn't defined a fixed role for Koundé (offensive or defensive), giving him the freedom to move and contribute to the team's attacks when appropriate.

This cohesion and confidence in the defense reflect the strong readiness of the French team for their upcoming matches in the tournament, boosting their hopes of competing for the title.

Koundé's Journey and Improvement:

The former Bordeaux and Sevilla player talked about a period of fluctuation in his performance in January, noting that after returning from injury, he struggled to reach his best form, especially offensively, where he wanted to contribute more, while facing challenges in defensive control that sometimes affected his performance.

He emphasized his hard work on analyzing his matches with top coaches like Xavi Hernandez and the French national team coach, which helped him improve his performance and adapt to the challenges at Barcelona. He clarified that his primary mission is always defense and ensuring the stability of the defensive line before any offensive considerations.

This analysis highlights his commitment to continuous improvement and adapting to the game's variables, reflecting his desire to give his best for his team regardless of the challenges he faces.