Real Madrid Legend Reveals Trait That Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe Share

Kylian Mbappe in line to join Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Casemiro, a legendary figure at the Santiago Bernabeu, compares Frenchman to Cristiano Ronaldo, who Mbappe says he idolised growing up.

Mbappe idolised Ronaldo as a youngster / FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

Real Madrid legend Casemiro has explained how former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe are alike.

Mbappe's PSG contract expires at the end of the 2023/24 season and he is widely expected to join long-term suitors Madrid on a free transfer, though on lucrative personal terms.

Casemiro, now of Manchester United, played alongside Ronaldo for several years during their respective spells at the Santiago Bernabeu. In an interview with El Chiringuito, he revealed how Mbappe compares to the Portugal international.

"Mbappe reminds me of Cristiano. He's on the field, he's smelling a goal," Casemiro said. "You have to be worried with this guy because he will score a goal. Cristiano was like that."

🗣️ Casemiro: “Mbappé reminds me of Cristiano. He’s on the field, he’s smelling a goal. You have to be worried with this guy because he will score a goal. Cristiano was like that.” @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/vLFsxQ6WqA

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 18, 2024

Mbappe has so far scored 284 goals in 374 club games across his time at AS Monaco and PSG, while he has also grabbed 46 goals in 77 appearances for the France national team. He is already PSG's all-time leading scorer with 253 goals - 53 clear of second-place Edinson Cavani.

Though he has not yet agreed terms with Madrid, Mbappe is in line to join Los Blancos later this summer. His final game for PSG could yet come against his likely future employers, with both sides through to the semi-finals of this season's Champions League - Les Parisiens have been drawn with Borussia Dortmund, while Madrid will take on Bayern Munich.

Ronaldo - who has been cited as Mbappe's idol - joined Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record £80m fee and went on to score 450 goals for the club, more than any other player in their history. He was also a key contributor to 15 trophies and won four of his five Ballons d'Or during his time in the Spanish capital.

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