Ronaldo is a great role model, says Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said Cristiano Ronaldo can be a great role model for one of The Reds brightest stars – Raheem Sterling.

Los Blancos and Liverpool face each other again in the Champions League on Tuesday night in the return match at the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti’s men put in  superb performance at Anfield two weeks ago, winning 3-0.

And ahead of the game in the Spanish capital, the Liverpool boss has been praising Ronaldo for his fighting spirit and professionalism down the years. He added that Sterling, himself linked with a move to the 10-time Champions League winners, could do a lot worse than watch how Ronaldo handles himself on and off the pitch.

“You could argue that, at 19, Raheem has had a similar impact as Ronaldo had when he came to the country; that game when he first came on as sub and made an impact,” Rodgers told journalists.

He added: “Certainly in these past couple of years, Raheem has made a similar impact at the beginning of his career. It’s now about going to those next levels with the second part of his curve.”

And the Northern Irishman went on to say how much he admires Ronaldo for working hard every day and eventually becoming the best player in the world.

“He’s super-efficient. What I’ve loved about Ronaldo is that you talk about persistence and professionalism in life — this is a guy who turned up for the Ballon d’Or four years on the trot, probably thinking on a couple of occasions that he’s going to be close to winning it.

“The little guy [Messi] is a genius and I’m a massive admirer of his talent, but Ronaldo kept going, kept fighting and then deservedly won it last year. And if you’re talking about the last year, you have to say Ronaldo has been the best player in terms of club and, arguably, international football.”