Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews may not be Cristiano Ronaldo’s number one fan – but he can acknowledge a master at work.
The Real Madrid superstar scored a majestic bicycle kick against Juventus in what the man himself described as the best goal of his career to date.
Ronaldo scored a brace on the night to help his team to a 3-0 first-leg win over Juventus and remain on course to lift the European Cup for a third consecutive season.
But Andrews questioned whether Ronaldo meant to direct his shot in the manner he performed.
“I do not like Ronaldo – I think he’s a whopper,” Andrews said on the Keith Andrews Show.
“He’s getting into Michael Jackson level. He wants to build Disneyland in his back garden. But in terms of him as a player; so much respect for what he’s done in his career.
“That goal, I don’t think he meant to put it in the corner. Ideally it’s going in the corner, but I don’t think he knows that ball is going into the corner. I think it’s very hard to say that.”
Ronaldo, 33, has consistently been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu and to Manchester United in particular.
But Andrews feels Ronaldo still has plenty to give at the highest level.
“There’s a bit of talk about [Robert] Lewandowski going to Real Madrid in the summer. Why?” Andrews questioned.
“You don’t need Lewandowski. Start Ronaldo as your number nine and do whatever you want behind to get the right system in place, to get the best out of Ronaldo.
“Play him the width of the six-yard box because he is devastating. Still, over 10-yards, phenomenal pace, sharpness, brightness.
“Don’t have him out wide. Why put him out wide? He can play another four or five years. We’ve seen Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] in the MLS having an impact.
“But in terms of that level – he is a machine physically. He can still go on for numerous years.”
Listen to the full Keith Andrews Show podcast below:
Written by James Hopper
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