Ngal’Ayel Mukau savours World Cup debut against Cristiano Ronaldo but left with one lingering regret

Lille midfielder Ngal’Ayel Mukau says making his first World Cup appearance against childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo fulfilled one of the biggest dreams of his career – but admits the night ended with a small regret.

The DR Congo international, who faced Portugal and Ronaldo in his maiden World Cup outing at the 2026 tournament, described the occasion as the standout moment of his campaign, both for its intensity and for the personal significance of lining up against a player he has long admired.

“J’ai joue mon premier match de Coupe du monde contre mon idole, Cristiano Ronaldo,” Mukau said, stressing how special it was that his introduction to the biggest stage in football came against one of the game’s modern greats.

The meeting with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was a glamour tie from the opening matchday and marked a symbolic milestone in the young player’s rise from prospect to fully-fledged international on the global stage.

Regret over missed shirt swap

However, the Lille youngster did not leave the pitch entirely satisfied once the final whistle went.

Mukau had hoped to mark the night with a prized memento by swapping shirts with Ronaldo, but the plan quickly became impossible amid the frenzy surrounding the Portugal captain at full-time.

“A la fin, je n’ai pas pu chercher son maillot parce que tout le monde le sollicitait,” he explained, revealing that the crush of players and staff around Ronaldo denied him a personal exchange with his idol.

Mukau also noted that Ronaldo’s visible frustration after the game – with the Portuguese star evidently unhappy with how the match had unfolded – contributed to the sense that this was not the right moment to push for a shirt swap.

Emerging Lille talent attracting attention

Away from the emotion of that World Cup night, Mukau’s performances have not gone unnoticed.

The DR Congo midfielder, often described as one of the most promising young talents from his country, has drawn interest from several clubs during the current transfer window, impressed by his composure and impact on the international stage.

Despite that growing curiosity, Mukau’s intention is to continue his development with Lille, where he believes he can build on what he has learned from competing at the highest level.

The experience of facing Ronaldo and participating in a World Cup has, in his view, accelerated his maturity and sharpened his understanding of elite football, strengthening his status as a rising player to watch.

Now regarded as a key emerging figure both for club and country, Mukau is determined to turn that World Cup memory – and the regret of a missing shirt – into further motivation as he seeks to confirm his potential in the seasons ahead.