Carlo Ancelotti has praised Cristiano Ronaldo's "unique seriousness and professionalism" during their time working together at Real Madrid.

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Ancelotti says CR7 is a "model for others"Ronaldo scored 112 goals in 101 games under Don CarloNow plying his trade at Al-Nassr in Saudi ArabiaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Real Madrid boss was giving a sit-down interview with Swiss Radio station . Ancelotti was effusive in his praise of Los Blancos all-time leading goalscorer Ronaldo, who he worked with at Santiago Bernabeu between 2013 and 2015, highlighting his physical and technical talent, but also stressing the mental attributes that have made CR7 an all-time great.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Portuguese superstar, who now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, produced some of his best work under Ancelotti's guidance at Real, scoring 112 goals and adding 47 assists in just 101 games while working with the Italian. That's a staggering 54 minutes per goal contribution.

WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

Ancelotti said: "Ronaldo is a great talent physically and technically, it's his nature… And he complemented these characteristics with unique seriousness and professionalism. I've never seen a player so attentive, prepared, concentrated, focused. He's a model for others, certainly, in terms of preparation."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Wednesday night could prove a pivotal moment in Ancelotti's second tenure with Madrid. Los Blancos face a 3-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Arsenal. Earlier this week, the Italian talked up the club's chances of producing a famous 'remontada'.