Kylian Mbappe may be France’s captain today, but according to his mother, there was a time when the striker proudly declared himself “Portuguese.”
The reason? A deep admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo that shaped much of his childhood.
The Real Madrid forward has often spoken about his love for Los Blancos as a boy. In fact, his 2024 move to the Santiago Bernabeu was the fulfillment of a dream.
But now, his mother has offered more detail on just how far his obsession with Ronaldo went — and it makes for quite the story.
Kylian Mbappe’s “Portuguese phase” explained
In an interview with L’Equipe, Fayza Lamari revealed how young Mbappe would copy Ronaldo’s every move and even adopt his nationality in spirit.
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“It started with Zidane. From the age of four. Then there was Ronaldo when he arrived in Manchester, then Real. Then there was Robinho, Ronaldinho… As for Cristiano… Kylian was Portuguese in his head. For him, he was Portuguese. He would go to a friend’s father’s house to watch Portugal matches and support Ronaldo (laughs). He was in love. He would say: ‘I’m Portuguese.’ It lasted a very long time!”
Her words underline how the French star’s career has always been influenced by his idols. Zidane lit the spark. Ronaldo kept it burning.
Mbappe’s path to Madrid now feels like football fate. From pretending to be Portuguese at his friend’s house to sharing a locker room in the same stadium where his hero once ruled, the story has come full circle.
So, the next time Mbappe scores at the Bernabeu, don’t be surprised if the celebration has a touch of Ronaldo about it. Old habits, as they say, die hard — even if you’re French, not Portuguese.
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