Brazil's World Cup final scoring hero Ronaldo, often jeered at by Real Madrid supporters during matches, was defended by club president Florentino Perez today.
Perez said he was delighted by Ronaldo's performances at the European Champions League champions in stark contrast to the fans and media who have accused him of lacking passion, being overweight and past his best.
The 2002 European and World Football of the Year has scored many goals, including in the final of the Intercontinental Cup but his influence has often declined during matches.
Nevertheless Ronaldo has netted 13 goals in the league, one in the Champions League and one in the Intercontinental Cup final and is the club's top scorer.
Perez was speaking following a good week when the club grabbed top spot in the Spanish League thanks in the main to a hat-trick by Ronaldo in the 5-1 demolition of Alaves and boosted their chances of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals when they snatched an injury-time 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund.
When asked if he had doubts about signing Ronaldo in the face of jeering by fans, Perez said: "Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world like Zidane, Figo, Raul or Roberto Carlos.
"The same thing happened last season with Zidane and the year before with Figo and I think we will once more have to be patient. I'm sure Ronaldo will eventually be the player all the supporters hoped he would be." AFP