From Portugal to France: Why Ronaldo Fans Are Rallying Behind Mbappé's World Cup Dream

When the final whistle blew on Portugal's World Cup campaign, millions of Portuguese supporters were left heartbroken. Another dream had ended, another opportunity to lift football's biggest prize had slipped away. Also, it was curtains down for Cristiano Ronaldo, who had announced that the 2026 World Cup would be his final. Ronaldo has created history by playing in 6 consecutive World Cups, and become the only man to score in all 6. 

For many, it was the end; they said they would stop watching the World Cup, but for others, they simply find a new story to believe in.
For many Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo fans, that story is now France—and more specifically, Kylian Mbappé. Why? Let's find out.

Mbappé has never hidden his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo.
As a child, posters of Ronaldo covered his bedroom walls. He has often spoken about watching Ronaldo's rise, studying his game, and dreaming of reaching similar heights. Even after becoming one of football's biggest stars, Mbappé has continued to show respect for the Portuguese immortal.
For many Ronaldo fans, that admiration matters.
If Portugal cannot lift the trophy, seeing Ronaldo's biggest admirer succeed feels like a fitting alternative.

Another reason behind the shift is simple—Argentina.
Ever since the Ronaldo-Messi rivalry defined modern football, many Portugal supporters have naturally found themselves rooting against the Argentina national football team whenever the stakes are highest. There are some fans who will support any team that Argentina face. 
Now, with Argentina still in the tournament, Mbappé has become the player many believe can stop them.
Social media has been flooded with posts declaring him football's "last hope," "the chosen one," and even "the saviour" against Argentina.
Whether those claims are fair is another matter, but they capture the emotion of knockout football, where fans quickly adopt a new team once their own exits.

This isn't unusual.
Fans often transfer their support based on emotional connections rather than nationality.
Some back former teammates.
Some support clubs represented by their favourite players.
Others simply rally behind whoever stands in the way of their biggest rivals.
For Portugal supporters, France checks several boxes:
Mbappé openly admires Ronaldo. 
France has the quality to challenge any team. 
Defeating Argentina would satisfy many fans who have followed the Ronaldo-Messi rivalry for over a decade. 

Whether France can actually stop Argentina remains to be seen.
Argentina have shown resilience throughout the tournament, while France possess one of the deepest squads in world football. If the two giants meet, it would undoubtedly become one of the defining matches of the World Cup.
But one thing is already clear.
Portugal may be out, yet many of its fans haven't left the tournament.
They've simply changed jerseys.
For them, Mbappé isn't just France's superstar anymore.
He's carrying the hopes of countless Ronaldo supporters who now dream of seeing the French forward write the next chapter of World Cup history—and perhaps be the man who finally brings Argentina's journey to an end.