Last update images today Ironman Distance Races Uk
![ironman distance races uk <h3 class=](https://i0.wp.com/bigislandgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ironman.jpg?fit=940%2C628&ssl=1)
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."
![Ironman ?fit=940%2C628&ssl=1](https://i0.wp.com/bigislandgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ironman.jpg?fit=940%2C628&ssl=1)
![Schermafbeelding 2022 10 31 Om 09.54.38](https://tri-today.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Schermafbeelding-2022-10-31-om-09.54.38.png)
![Schermafbeelding 2023 10 21 Om 17.37.47](https://tri-today.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Schermafbeelding-2023-10-21-om-17.37.47.png)
![Ironman Triathlon 498 C30a07e9e18f28eb661925dbdce04e8f](https://www.gohawaii.com/sites/default/files/mmg_lfef_images/ironman-triathlon-498-c30a07e9e18f28eb661925dbdce04e8f.jpg)
![Ironman 703 Races 2024](https://crossfitgamesinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ironman-703-races-2024.jpg)
![GettyImages 1330603448 Scaled](https://cdn.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/GettyImages-1330603448-scaled.jpg)
![GettyImages 1418883395 Scaled](https://cdn.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1418883395-scaled.jpg)
![NA Schdule Release Header Large](https://ironman.kleecks-cdn.com/cdn1/attachments/news_article/777d-185800325/NA-Schdule-Release-Header_large.png)
![Tri Prediction Feature](https://d3rqy6w6tyyf68.cloudfront.net/AcuCustom/Sitename/DAM/113/tri-prediction-feature.jpg)
![78eb711a20b729a4db15399abd03b295](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/eb/71/78eb711a20b729a4db15399abd03b295.png)
![GettyImages 1497768377 Scaled](https://cdn.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1497768377-scaled.jpg)
![GettyImages 1484688826 Scaled](https://cdn.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1484688826-scaled.jpg)
![Kona 2](https://trimexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/kona-2.jpg)
![GettyImages 1685564255 Scaled](https://cdn.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1685564255-scaled.jpg)
![Schermafbeelding 2023 05 21 Om 14.28.10 768x448](https://tri-today.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Schermafbeelding-2023-05-21-om-14.28.10-768x448.png)
![Iudzumsoc3cxdbng3oml](https://res.cloudinary.com/letsdothiscom/image/upload/f_auto,c_limit,w_3840,q_auto/event-assets/iudzumsoc3cxdbng3oml.jpg)
![Ironman 455138 1280](https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/09/21/15/15/ironman-455138_1280.jpg)
![Sxuv8tsqywdfiyu8vos8](https://res.cloudinary.com/letsdothiscom/image/upload/f_auto,c_limit,w_3840,q_auto/event-assets/sxuv8tsqywdfiyu8vos8.jpg)
![RACEGUIDE1 Feature 1200x675 ?width=1200](https://cdn.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RACEGUIDE1_feature-1200x675.png?width=1200)
![Register September 30 For 2023 IRONMAN Races Davao Subic Bay Bohol 768x768](https://www.davaolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Register-September-30-for-2023-IRONMAN-races-Davao-Subic-Bay-Bohol-768x768.jpg)
![Blank Copy 12](https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/blank-copy-12.jpg)
![2844](https://mybestruns.com/racephoto/2844.jpg)
![IronMan Nice](https://www.investincotedazur.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IronMan-Nice.png)
![3555f8ca57ed1b34727928370559efe0](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/55/f8/3555f8ca57ed1b34727928370559efe0.jpg)
![61c351b72190c47c563a1a47 Pbu899763 20 1](https://assets-global.website-files.com/61aa482275701e722856da7b/61c351b72190c47c563a1a47_pbu899763_20-1.jpeg)
![Oregon 2](https://www.triathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Oregon-2.jpeg)
![Fd9a13e4fb1b8393e702da578adc7453 The World Tobias](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fd/9a/13/fd9a13e4fb1b8393e702da578adc7453--the-world-tobias.jpg)
![DSC 0315](https://triathlonmagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DSC_0315.jpg)
![141078](https://triathlonmagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/141078.jpg)
![Medians14 640x349](https://www.coachcox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Medians14-640x349.png)
![Schermafbeelding 2021 02 17 Om 07.08.48](https://tri-today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Schermafbeelding-2021-02-17-om-07.08.48.png)
![Wales2013v2011 1024x267](https://www.coachcox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Wales2013v2011-1024x267.png)