Butragueno hails 'unique' Ronaldo
Real Madrid director of football Emilio Butragueno believes that there have been few players in the club's history to have had such an impact as Cristiano Ronaldo.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
Butragueno, himself a striker for the side during the 1980s, saw Ronaldo score two crucial goals to help Real earn a draw against arch-rivals Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
The Spaniard was left impressed with the Portuguese striker's performance and feels that a look at the history books would fail to produce any player who has been able to make such a massive difference to the team's fortunes.
"He's very impressive. He has always demonstrated this and his contribution to the team is incredible," Butragueno gushed after the game.
"Few provide what he does to our team.
"We would have to check the history of the club to see anything like him.
"I have great admiration for his commitment. He ended the game injured, but did not want to leave.
"Without him, Real Madrid would be another team."
Another former player who was left impressed by the performance was Edwin van der Saar who opined that Ronaldo's development at former club Manchester United has served him well and made him a "winner".
"He is different from Barcelona's Lionel Messi, but definitely as good as Messi, who seems to be liked by the public more than Cristiano," Van der Saar was quoted as telling the Daily Mirror.
"But Cristiano is a fabulous guy too. He has the odd sulk in a match but he is a winner - thanks to the valuable lessons he learned in Manchester.''
Following the 2-2 draw against Barcelona, Real are eight points behind the Catalan side in the La Liga and next face Celta Vigo on October 20 after the international break.