Gianluigi Buffon has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo after the Real Madrid star produced a dazzling display in his side’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Juventus on Tuesday night.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after just three minutes with a neat finish from close range before notching a second with an outrageous bicycle kick in the second-half.
Real went on to win the game 3-0, after another goal from Marcelo, to almost guarantee their place in the semi-finals.
Gianluigi Buffon has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo after his dazzling display on Tuesday night
After the final whistle had sounded, Buffon applauded the entire stadium and congratulated Ronaldo on the pitch before insisting the Portuguese attacker was comparable to only three players in footballing history.
‘Ronaldo is a player of an incredible level, Cristiano’s value is comparable to Maradona, Messi or Pele, we feel a great pain, probably we will not be able to pass the round and it’s a pity,’ Buffon said post-match.
‘But it’s true that rivals you have to be calm and give them congratulations because objectively they are stronger.
‘We have seen the usual Cristiano, a player of an extraordinary level, who invents, evolves and does not seem to have an end.’
Ronaldo’s second goal was an outrageous bicycle kick that flew past a helpless Buffon
Buffon congratulated Ronaldo and insisted he is comparable to only three players in history
Buffon also admitted he had only seen David Trezeguet be more accurate in front of goal
Buffon applauded all four corners of the ground as he looks set to miss out on a winners medal
Buffon should have been more aware of Ronaldo’s striking instincts as before the game the Italian admitted he had only seen David Trezeguet be more accurate in front of goal.
‘I have unlimited admiration for Cristiano. He has been able to improve with age,’ Buffon told Marca.
‘The only player I’ve seen have this clarity when shooting on his own is David Trezeguet.
‘I was lucky enough to play against the Brazilian Ronaldo and against Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Cristiano is collecting record after record and he has my complete admiration.’
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