North Texas Sc 2024-07-02 North Texas Sc - Last update images today North Texas Sc Chance For India To Sweep Multi-format Series Against South Africa Kylian Mbappé has praised Cristiano Ronaldo as "unique" ahead of France's quarterfinal clash with Portugal on Friday, adding that he and the 39-year-old stay in contact regularly. Mbappé's fandom for Ronaldo is well known, with the France captain having posted a picture of him meeting his then-hero at the Madrid training ground in 2012 when his recent free transfer to Real Madrid was announced. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday ahead of the game in Hamburg, Mbappé said of Ronaldo: "It's truly an honour, everyone knows the respect I have for him. He is still a legend and we are in contact but I hope tomorrow that we can win. "We have to appreciate who he is and what he has done -- he is a unique player. His CV speaks for itself." Asked if he wanted to replicate Ronaldo after his move to Madrid, for whom the Portuguese star is the all-time leading goal scorer, Mbappé added: "There is only one of him. Me, I just want to follow my own route. "I hope I will write a great story at Madrid but it will be different." Mbappé and France have struggled for fluency at Euro 2024. They are yet to score from open play in four games, relying on a penalty from the former Paris Saint-Germain player and own goals to progress -- the most recent coming from Jan Vertonghen in a closely fought round-of-16 contest with Belgium. That absence of flowing football has created murmurs of discontent in France, though manager Didier Deschamps appeared unbothered at the news conference. "There are people who may not be happy but I have seen happy people. It is more exciting to win 5-4, that's for sure," he said. "The critics, you are there to do your job. They have always been part of my daily life. Today, it does not stop me from living in peace." Ntxvstl Hlgcvdhrnmjgbki28pzn Fdif0FAUAAAuGxA Scaled Wtnmvgikyy7gw8u9epkw Qzlwn0brltgvsbbuus3i Ge52Kf8SwWCQbHX Stadium 1 2ujhpIMV75TuN5E D3dfj832uf55i9g8yrqr KPPEDLCQ4VFIDLTLALODN4D4WM Jpnuggc1o52prvpc9bzp NTSC PMS Color PDNIHAWIK5SM76G2FBCEPPDEYY Ntxvhou Team Jsorftr9ayflytm9o3oc Ntx Team Tac 77K9MoHwGWId3Kg FbV07ngWAAEOauN?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 PtMJuxudFXE1idyB?format=jpg&name=large FbV07nLWIAYOVOt?format=jpg&name=4096x4096 North Texas SC E1544203779357 FxQHc9VWAAET3Ch?format=jpg&name=medium FkmC3bLQvWcZWvj 1200x1200bb Bgchbagrqtozffdhel9n Maxresdefault FavK2IHX0AIPBo3?format=jpg&name=large 2024 South Texas Nationals Iyzhuxqmbuqlfljy6vx6 LmwYjC6PQiCUhYQ Small 4P5RKP5ZPRAAJH3VQ35DBGPUHQ W36iqfgfqefsnqgot1pf North Texas Sc Kit 2023 V0 X6m6oi47hpia1 ?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=924b9e1ca5c24f37156c2da30b18283e69e4688a North Texas 1 Northtexas Large