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.
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has urged Victor Osimhen to avoid a move to Saudi Arabia this summer. Mikel Obi described it as a “shame” if Osimhen were to join a Middle Eastern club, believing the striker still has plenty to offer at the highest level in Europe.
Osimhen is set to return to Napoli after a successful loan spell at Galatasaray, where he netted an impressive 37 goals in 41 games. The 26-year-old is widely expected to make a permanent transfer before the start of the 2025/2026 season.
“I’m hoping he gets a chance to play in the Premier League this summer,” Mikel Obi told Metro. “I don’t want to see him heading to Saudi Arabia right now because his talent deserves to shine in Europe. “It would be a real shame to see him go there. Clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus, and PSG could be good options for him. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Ademola Lookman has opened up about how choosing to play for Nigeria over England has been a turning point in his football journey. Born in England to Nigerian parents, the 27-year-old winger once wore the English colours at youth levels, featuring for the U-19, U-20, and U-21 teams. But in 2022, he made a bold move—switching to represent Nigeria at the senior level, debuting in a tense clash against long-time rivals Ghana.
Since then, the Atalanta star has made a name for himself in the green and white jersey. He was a key figure in Nigeria’s run to the final at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three times and assisting once. His standout performances earned him the title of Africa’s best player in a ceremony held in Marrakech last December.
Reflecting on his decision in a chat with ARISE TV, Lookman said, “No doubt, choosing Nigeria changed everything for me—my career and my life. This is where I belong. I feel at home here. I’m truly a son of the soil.”
Former Spartak Moscow star Eduard Mor has shared his thoughts ahead of the upcoming international friendly between Russia and Nigeria, calling it a match to look forward to. Set to be played this Friday at 6 p.m. in Moscow, Mor believes the clash will be both exciting and filled with quality play. He praised Nigeria’s attack, describing it as one of the most dangerous on the global stage—not just in Africa.
“Nigeria are a strong side by international standards,” Mor said in a chat with Match TV. “They have players who’ve been doing well in top European clubs for years.” He pointed out that the Super Eagles’ frontline is packed with talent, saying each attacker seems to outshine the next. According to him, this balance of strength makes the team a real threat.
“Nigeria’s attackers are known around the world. They’re all strong individually, and that makes them even more dangerous as a unit. I believe this match is going to be very entertaining and full of action.” The Super Eagles go into the friendly with momentum, having recently defeated Jamaica in the Unity Cup final.
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