Ronaldo hailed as the most complete player
Real Madrid legend Jose Martinez Sanchez - or Pirri as he is affectionately known - has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the most complete player in the world.
By FOX Sports staff
During a glittering career in the 1970s, Pirri was one of the greatest players in Spain scoring 172 goals in 561 games. His feat was remarkable considering the 67-year-old had played first as a defensive midfielder before becoming a defender.
And as a result, Pirri is perfectly suited to appreciate everything that Ronaldo's game brings to a team.
"He's a fantastic player," Pirri told the Real Madrid website.
"Not only is he a born striker with both feet but for me he's also the most complete player in the world.
"He's powerful, fast, vertical, he jumps high for headers, he's got a great strike and an enormous ability on the sides, he works hard, defends...".
Ronaldo has notched up 182 goals in just 179 games leaving him with an incredible record of scoring more than a goal a game for Madrid. He sits sixth on Real's all-time scoring list but at his current rate is line to break Raul's record setting 323 goals from 741 games.
"We're extremely proud that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Real," ex-Real player Emilio Butragueno said.
Butragueno, who sits ninth on the club's famed all-time scoring list, added: "He's an amazing player and I hope he stays that way for years because he's very important to us."
"His ambition is perhaps one of his greatest virtues. He wants to get better and he takes each game as if it's a personal challenge.
"Having a player that guarantees a goal per game is a problem for rivals because it means that they have to score two to win. Very few teams throughout history can claim the same."
One team that will be hoping the goals will suddenly dry up for Ronaldo is Manchester United. The English Premier League side travel to the Bernabeu to take on Jose Mourinho's team in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
This will be the first time the Portuguese superstar will face his old team since leaving Old Trafford for the Spanish capital back in 2009.
Real Madrid's Top 10 All-time Scorers
1. Raul 323 goals (741 games)
2. Di Stefano 308 goals (396 games)
3. Santillana 290 goals (643 games)
4. Puskas 242 goals (261 games)
5. H. Sanchez 208 goals (283 games)
6. C. Ronaldo 182 goals (179 games)
7. Gento 182 goals (605 games)
8. Pirri 172 goals (561 games)
9. Butragueno 171 goals (463 games)
10. Amancio 155 goals (471 games)