Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe exchange leaves fans excited in ‘passing of the torch’ moment

While the on-field action in France‘s stalemate draw with Portugal left fans with little to write home about, social media was alive with excitement over an interaction between superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

Didier Deschamps’ world champions and Fernando Santos’ European kings were unable to be separated over 90 minutes in their UEFA Nations League clash at the Stade de France on Sunday night. 

With the likes of Ronaldo, Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes on the pitch, it came as a surprise to see both sides fire blanks in a nip-and-tuck contest for the purists.

Social media was alive with excitement following an exchange between Ronaldo and Mbappe

The superstar duo shared a friendly chat before the start of the second half on Sunday night

But fans were excited to see the Juventus star and his Paris Saint-Germain counterpart share a charming exchange as the team’s lined up for the second half.

Ronaldo and Mbappe were captured on camera in an embrace before the Portugal supremo gave the youngster a friendly tap on the head as he walked away. 

The 21-year-old, smiling and laughing, can be seen talking with Ronaldo before the referee blows his whistle to commence the action for the second 45 minutes.

It is no secret that Mbappe idolised Ronaldo as a child, and the French star shared an image of himself with the Portuguese with the caption ‘Idol’ as well as the crown and goat emojis.  

The 21-year-old idolised Ronaldo as a youngster and has struck up a close bond with the star

Real Madrid fans are hopeful that Mbappe will pick up the baton from Ronaldo at the Bernabeu

And fans have shared their excitement upon seeing the friendly encounter between two players who are at the summit of world football, with some hoping that Mbappe will one day pick up the baton from the three-time Ballon d’Or winner. 

‘This is beautiful,’ @jessymwanzia wrote, while Real Madrid fans excited over a potential future move to the Bernabeu for Mbappe. 

‘Madrid’s past and future,’ @AthleteOfInfamy wrote, while @S7_CR7_RM said: ‘Past and future of Real Madrid’.

And fans could not contain their excitement at the sight of the pair sharing a laugh and joke

‘One day we’ll look back on this moment as Ronaldo passing on the torch for Mbappe,’ @prime_jordan1 tweeted. 

‘Kylian Mbappe is the only acceptable heir to Cristiano Ronaldo’s number 7 at Real Madrid,’ another user said. 

‘He’s destined to go there. Just a matter of time,’ @AFCMahad wrote.

Real Madrid have been linked with a mega-money swoop for Mbappe next summer, with boss Zinedine Zidane a keen admirer of his fellow countryman.