Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has hailed his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as 'the best of his generation' and added that the Portugal international is 'a huge example for young players'.
Even though Ronaldo is in the latter stages of his career at the age of 35, he is still one of the world's standout players and has scored 21 goals in 22 Serie A appearances this season.
20-year-old De Ligt is a fine player in his own right but admits that he is always trying to improve by watching Ronaldo.
De Ligt told Tuttosport: 'Ronaldo is the best of his generation. A huge example for young players. I always try to improve the way I play by watching him because even in training he has a crazy intensity and you wonder if he is really 35 years old.'
Ronaldo will hope to have a major impact upon Serie A's proposed return to action, with Juventus poised to face Bologna away on June 22.
Juventus are top of Serie A, but they are just one point ahead of their closest challengers Lazio, so cannot afford to be complacent.
Maurizio Sarri's side are also still in the Coppa Italia, having drawn 1-1 with AC Milanin the first leg of their semi-final.
They are in the Champions League too, but lost 1-0 to Lyon in the first leg of the last-16 and it isn't clear whether the competition will continue this campaign.
De Ligt, meanwhile, is nearing the end of his first season at Juventus following his switch from Ajax last summer.
The centre-back has made 27 appearances for Juventus across all competitions and has produced some impressive displays.
sehajbains_02
512
Agent and client have to do impossible to win UCL this year
Dharmhie
401
Ronaldo and Messi are phenomenal They at both Legends playing different pattern but above all other players. No one is better than one, let us accept they are both on the same level. De Jong praises Messi and De Ligt praises Ronaldo too. The lucky players to have played with them can always testify This is an unending debate, let's just enjoy them while they still play Forget rivalry, Football Is One.
26201361(deleted)
296
ATM’s plans and then there is 35 years old 🤞🏽 The King Won’t Get Old
sehajbains_02
239
Cristiano needs ... 👉 41 more goals to surpass Pele's official goals 767 👉 needs 1 goal to reach 100 International milestone 👉 needs 11 goals to become all time International top scorer 👉 Needs 1 more Hattrick to complete 10 international Hattricks and to become the only with the most international Hattricks 👉 Needs 1 UCL with Juve to become the one with most UCL in history and to win with 3 different clubs
JohnWick7
219
Don't get fooled by the Number '35' this Man is from another planet where age doesn't matter✌️
cahabntuyz
62
Ronaldo is an icon and inspiration to the young generation while Messi is an icon to the old generation.See that's one of the big difference.Those old legends who always picks Messi over Ronaldo are base on sentiments.They have already played their game and have nothing for the future.Ronaldo is the future for the younger generation.
burnakush
55
ronaldo needs 80 more goals to be the highest goal scorer of all time surpassing joseph bianco,I see him doing it b4 next 3years