- Former Merengue striker Julio Baptista says his old side are lucky to have a player of the three-time Ballon d'Or winner's talents, but warned that only a team can win matches
Julio Baptista has praised Cristiano Ronaldo in the build-up to Saturday's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but insists the Portuguese striker cannot lead his side to victory single-handedly.
Ronaldo has come in for criticism from Madrid fans in the current season despite leading the Liga scoring charts, having failed to show his best football in some crucial matches. But according to Baptista, who played for Real Madrid alongside the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, a top striker can only shine when his team-mates are on a similar level.
"Cristiano does not play on his own, he plays with 10 other players," he explained.
"He is phenomenal, but behind him he must have a team that is playing well too. It is normal for him to get the flak, because he is one of the best players in the world, but he cannot do anything alone.
"If the team does not find a way of playing that benefits his game, it makes no difference having any player in the team. They could have anyone in the world, and it wouldn't work.
The Orlando City striker concluded by pointing out that if Zinedine Zidane gets his Madrid charges firing on all cylinders, Ronaldo's game would also improve.
Julio Baptista has praised Cristiano Ronaldo in the build-up to Saturday's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but insists the Portuguese striker cannot lead his side to victory single-handedly.
Ronaldo has come in for criticism from Madrid fans in the current season despite leading the Liga scoring charts, having failed to show his best football in some crucial matches. But according to Baptista, who played for Real Madrid alongside the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, a top striker can only shine when his team-mates are on a similar level.
"Cristiano does not play on his own, he plays with 10 other players," he explained.
"He is phenomenal, but behind him he must have a team that is playing well too. It is normal for him to get the flak, because he is one of the best players in the world, but he cannot do anything alone.
"If the team does not find a way of playing that benefits his game, it makes no difference having any player in the team. They could have anyone in the world, and it wouldn't work.
The Orlando City striker concluded by pointing out that if Zinedine Zidane gets his Madrid charges firing on all cylinders, Ronaldo's game would also improve.
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