Sport
“Mbappe Can Reach Ronaldo’s Level but It Won’t Be Easy” – Ancelotti Says
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Kylian Mbappe has what it takes to reach Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary status at the club. However, he made it clear that achieving such a feat will require serious dedication and hard work.
The Italian coach acknowledged that matching Ronaldo’s impact is no small task but expressed confidence in the French forward’s potential. Speaking about Mbappe’s recent performance, Ancelotti emphasized that while the striker has the quality, it will take effort and consistency to reach the same heights.
“Mbappe has a lot of talent and can reach Cristiano’s level, but Ronaldo set the bar extremely high,” Ancelotti said. “He’s just starting his journey at Madrid, and he’s excited, but it won’t be easy—he has to put in the work. Everyone was waiting for this hat-trick from him, and now it has finally come.”
The coach also pointed out that while Mbappe is a key player, he isn’t the only one capable of making a difference on the pitch. “We have many players who contribute, not just through individual brilliance but also through teamwork,” he added.
Mbappe’s hat-trick helped Real Madrid secure a 3-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. It was his first treble for Los Blancos since joining on a free transfer from PSG in the summer of 2024.
The Frenchman has always been vocal about his admiration for Ronaldo, often calling him his football idol. On the other hand, Ronaldo had previously stated that if he were at Madrid, he would teach Mbappe how to excel as a number nine.
“If I was at Madrid, I’d show him how to play as a number nine. I wasn’t a forward, but I adapted,” Ronaldo said in a recent interview.
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, is expected to be at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Saturday, June 28, to watch the President Federation Cup final between Kwara United and Abakaliki FC.
The match presents a scouting opportunity for Chelle as he continues his search for fresh talent ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is exclusive to players active in their home leagues.
Last month, the Malian coach included 10 home-based players in Nigeria’s squad for the Unity Cup in London, showing his growing interest in the local scene. Nigeria has been drawn into Group D alongside Congo, Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea for the upcoming CHAN, which will take place in August across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been hospitalized due to a severe bout of gastroenteritis. The club confirmed the news in a statement released on Thursday, noting that the French captain was taken in for medical tests after his condition worsened.
Because of this, Mbappe will be unavailable for Real Madrid’s upcoming FIFA Club World Cup clash against Pachuca on Sunday. He also missed their 1-1 draw with Al Hilal earlier in the week. At 26, the former PSG star will be aiming to bounce back quickly as he looks to return to action at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in the U.S.
Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada has shared his thoughts on the recent talk linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a surprising move from Al Nassr. Speaking with Diario AS, Calzada made it clear that such a transfer would be highly unlikely, calling it “a very unusual situation” due to the intense rivalry between the two Saudi clubs.
He compared the relationship between Al Hilal and Al Nassr to that of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, emphasizing that Ronaldo, as captain of Al Nassr, represents their “eternal rival.” “Bringing in a player from your biggest rival isn’t something you see every day,” Calzada said, downplaying the possibility of Ronaldo switching sides. Moreover, Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr is set to run until the end of June.
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