Cristiano Ronaldo: De Ligt shuns Messi, names Portuguese greatest player of his generation
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of his generation
- The Portuguese superstar joined Juventus last two summers after parting ways with Real Madrid
- The Dutchman also joined Ronaldo at Allianz Stadium last August after both faced off in the final of the UEFA Nations League
Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has described his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player of his generation - shunning Lionel Messi in the process.
The 35-year-old joined the Old Lady from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018 and could win his second Serie A title this season.
Only this season, the Portuguese has scored 25 goals in 32 appearances so far - including a streak of 11 goals in 11 successive Serie A games, a run which expired against Inter Milan in March.
Meanwhile, having played against and also with Ronaldo, De Ligt believes no one comes to the former Manchester United star in terms of quality in modern-day football.
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“Ronaldo is the best of his generation and huge example for young players,” the Dutchman told Tuttosport.
“I always try to improve the way I play by watching him because even in training he has a crazy intensity and you wonder if he really is 35 years old.
“We really have a good team, a lot of good guys. The most fun are the South Americans. Besides Ronaldo, I was impressed by Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Bentancur: both players with an amazing technique. Rodrigo in particular is underestimated, he will have a great future ahead of him.”
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It would be recalled that Ronaldo inspired De Ligt to join Juve last summer despite massive interest from Barcelona.
“Gigi could literally be my father... he is 42! Can you imagine it!” he said. “The point is that if you see him playing you would say he is 30. He is a top guy and always available with me. I’m learning a lot from him.”
The former Ajax star has also quenched all rumours linking him away from the Allianz Stadium after a difficult debut season in Italy.
“They invented many things about me: the truth is that I’m really happy in Turin and to be able to train every day with extraordinary players,” he confirmed. “I have the feeling of improving day by day. So, yes, I'm very happy.”
The 20-year-old has turned out 27 times for Juve thus far and was back in the starting XI after a two-game absence for the clash with Inter prior to the suspension of play in mid-March.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Cristiano Ronaldo has been raking in millions despite the economic crisis as a result of the global pandemic.
The Juventus striker has now become the first football player to hit the $1billion mark and achievement envisaged a few weeks back.
According to Forbes, the 35-year-old earned a staggering $105m from June 1, 2019, to June 1, 2020 to achieve the feat.
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Source: Legit.ng
