Lyon striker Karim Benzema has spoken of his admiration for crocked Milan star Ronaldo and has described him as the “best player ever”.
* Olympique Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who grew up admiring Ronaldo, said he felt sorry for the Brazil and AC Milan striker over his serious knee injury.
"He would have deserved another end to his career," said the 20-year-old France striker, who has a collection of Ronaldo matches on DVD and studies his every move.
"I have video's of all the greatest players, To me he is the best player ever," Benzema told his club's Web site (
www.olweb.fr). "Even if he stops playing football I'll keep watching the DVDs. Having a career like his is my dream."
* Ronaldo ruptured the tendon in his knee against Livorno on Wednesday night, a career-threatening injury which will keep him out of the game for at least nine-to-12 months.
With this in mind it seems highly probable that Ronaldo the two time world cup winner will eventually retire from the game without playing another top-class match.