Martinez insists the match is not just about Ronaldo versus Mbappe ahed of QF

The French national team will face the Portuguese national team in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, at the Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Saturday(06th July). All viewers' eyes will be focused on the potential duel between Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The two stars are in the spotlight because they are key players in their respective teams. What makes the story even more interesting is the fact that Mbappe has long recognized Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol. Mbappe and Ronaldo have both not shown their best performance throughout the group stage until the last 16 of Euro 2024. Both are very motivated to perform better and prove themselves in the quarter-finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, has yet to score from the 20 shots he has taken throughout Euro 2024. He was even seen crying after failing to score against Slovenia in extra time in the last 16 but managed to improve his performance by scoring from the penalty spot. On the other hand, Kylian Mbappe suffered a nose injury in France's Group D opener against Austria, but he returned to action and scored from the penalty spot in the win over Poland on matchday three. However, France are yet to score from open play at Euro 2024. They have only scored two own goals and a Mbappe penalty.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez insists the match is not just about Ronaldo versus Mbappe. He also dismissed suggestions Portugal will only focus on stopping Mbappe. "Suffering is part of life, part of football, part of everything, we promise to give everything, the players are focused on playing, and football is a team sport. Tomorrow is not a match between two players," Martinez was quoted in an interview.

"They have a great influence, Cristiano has an influence on Mbappe and him on other players, but this is a game when the team has to be great," Martinez added. Ronaldo was widely criticised for attempting four direct free-kicks without success against Slovenia. He has attempted 60 direct free-kicks in European Championship or World Cup matches, scoring just one, against Spain at the 2018 World Cup.

When asked if Ronaldo could be removed from dead ball duties, Martinez was clear. "The players work in training and Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes have that responsibility. We are lucky to have two players with a very good profile to do it," Martinez stressed. Portugal will be hoping to repeat memories of their Euro 2016 final win over Les Bleus, when Eder scored the winner in extra time after Ronaldo was forced off injured.