Criano Ronaldo says Kylian Mbappe is not a natural striker: ‘If I were at Real Madrid, I would teach …’ | Football News

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has received backing and a piece of advice from club legend Criano Ronaldo as he continues to find his feet in the Spanish capital.
After a free transfer switch from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Mbappe has the chance to emulate his idol at the Santiago Bernabeu. Embracing a new position as the team’s no. 9 unlike his PSG days, Mbappe’s had a rocky start to his Madrid journey and Ronaldo has now come and urged the club and its fans to support the Frenchman in his journey.
“I love him very much, and not only because of the story he had as a young man that he loved Criano Ronaldo very much and he was his idol,” Ronaldo said in an interview with El Chiringuito.
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“But I really see him as a crack [a star player] and he is going to give Real Madrid a lot of joy,” Ronaldo predicted.
The Al-Nassr striker who will turn 40 on Wednesday said that the 26-year-old Mbappe is not a natural striker and will need time to adapt.
“The striker position makes it a bit difficult for Mbappe, because he doesn’t know how to play as a striker in my opinion… It’s not that he doesn’t know, it’s not his position,” the Portuguese icon said.
“If I were at Real Madrid I would teach him to play as a 9. Because I wasn’t a striker. I got used to playing as a striker. I played on the wing and people forget,” Ronaldo added.Story continues below this ad
“Kylian shouldn’t be your typical striker. If I were him, I would play more or less like how Criano Ronaldo plays as a striker,” suggested Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, Real Madrid’s record goal-scorer also urged the fans and the club to primarily to look after Mbappe. “I say this to the Real Madrid fans… Take care of the kid. I have no doubt Mbappe is going to give Real Madrid fans a lot of joy.”
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