Portugal’s Nuno Mendes is gearing up to face his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé, in the upcoming Euro 2024 quarterfinals. The 22-year-old left-back, who now shares the field with Cristiano Ronaldo in the national team, had nothing but praise for both superstars. He described them as high-level, excellent players capable of turning the tide of any match with their extraordinary skills.
When asked to pick between Mbappé and Ronaldo, Mendes admitted that it was a difficult decision. As he put it, “If I were a coach, I would choose both.” The young defender is prepared to face Mbappé head-on if called upon, emphasizing that he trains diligently for moments like these and is ready to take on the challenge.
France’s Les Bleus have made it to the quarterfinals without scoring from open play, relying instead on penalties and own goals. Mendes sees this as a positive sign for Portugal, viewing it as an opportunity to exploit the French team’s vulnerability. He understands the threat posed by players like Mbappé and Dembélé but believes that Portugal’s own stellar lineup is more than capable of holding their own on the field.
On the other side, Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to find the back of the net in Euro 2024, apart from a penalty shootout goal. The Portuguese captain, who holds the tournament’s goal-scoring record, faced disappointment when his penalty was saved by Slovenia’s goalkeeper in the round of 16. Mendes acknowledged Ronaldo’s emotional reaction to the miss but highlighted the team’s unity and support as crucial factors in their victory.
The upcoming clash between Portugal and France promises to be a thrilling encounter between two footballing powerhouses. Nuno Mendes stands ready to face the challenge posed by his former teammate, Kylian Mbappé, while also providing support for his captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. As the tournament advances, all eyes will be on these key players to deliver standout performances on the pitch.
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