7 intriguing similarities between Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe 

#4 Both Mbappe and Ronaldo want to play for Real Madrid

Mbappe has explicitly expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid

When he was a youngster at Manchester United, Ronaldo had this dream to play for Real Madrid. He explicitly made it known to the public that the next step in his career is in Madrid. Later, Sir Alex wrote that Ronaldo wished to return to the Iberian peninsula and wear the famous old white shirt that Di Stefano once wore.

The same can be said for Kylian Mbappe. He has been in the news recently for expressing his desire to join Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. He has explicitly made his desire clear. He only wants to join Real Madrid.

#3 Both players' moves to Real Madrid was initially blocked

Ronaldo warms up for Manchester United in a Premier League match

In 2008, everybody thought that Ronaldo would leave Manchester United to join Real Madrid. Even Ronaldo was keen on the move to Madrid. However, Sir Alex was not ready to let him go as he felt that Real Madrid had not been respectful towards Manchester United.

Sir Alex firmly blocked Ronaldo's move. He, however, joined Real Madrid the following year for a world-record fee.

In 2021, Real Madrid went all-out to buy Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain. However, Paris Saint-Germain blocked all approaches from Real Madrid and rejected all the money that they offered.

So far, they have managed to keep Mbappe at the club, but the question is - can they prevent him from leaving next season?

#2 Both Ronaldo and Mbappe have similar international careers with their national teams

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe have had similar careers with the national teams. As a teenager, both Ronaldo and Mbappe played in the final of a major international competition.

In 2004, Ronaldo played an influential role that helped Portugal reach the final of Euro 2004. Similarly, Kylian Mbappe excelled in Russia to take France to the final of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Although Ronaldo failed to win the final of the tournament, Mbappe managed to win the World Cup, scoring a goal in the final.

Another similarity is the fact that they have become inseparable from the national team even as teenagers. Most youngsters are generally at the periphery of the national squad activities, but without Mbappe and Ronaldo, their respective national teams were incomplete.

Their national teams were heavily dependent on them from a very young age.

#1 Both Ronaldo and Mbappe have been criticized for being too arrogant

Ronaldo reacts in frustration in a Serie A match

Footballers have always been susceptible to criticism, and perhaps no player has been criticized more than Cristiano Ronaldo. But Ronaldo loves doing what he does best - shutting his critics up with his performance. It has become his trademark style. He always performs well after a particular controversy.

The same can be said about Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe has come under intense scrutiny from the media for his arrogance, a criticism which has also been leveled against Cristiano Ronaldo. However, it is important to know that such arrogance is crucial in an athlete's life as it fuels his desire to perform more and push the limits.