Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has hailed Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo as a perfect machine.
The pair played together at Manchester United as youngsters and are good friends, despite now playing for Spain’s two biggest rivals.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a sensational season so far, scoring 26 goals in just 20 appearances so far this campaign. After helping Madrid to success in the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, as well as the European Super Cup this season, he is one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or award.
One of his main contenders, of course, is Barcelona forward Leo Messi. And when asked to compare the two, Pique said Messi is the more natural, but Ronaldo is a machine.
Speaking to Voetbal magazine, the defender said: “Cristiano is a perfect machine, a hard worker who always wants to improve. He is very demanding of himself, something that he showed at [Manchester] United.
“The most surprising thing is that [Lionel] Messi won four Ballons d’Or in a row and he kept going on there, with the strength to beat him.
“Many times conclusions are drawn based on specific actions without actually getting to know him. He has changed in recent years, I know him from United and he took to me well. He helped me a lot in Manchester.”
