Cristiano Ronaldo will still be talked about ‘300 years from now’ says former team-mate Rui Costa

Cristiano Ronaldo will still be talked about in 300 years as a football icon and is now working with a coach at Juventus who suits him down the ground, according to a former team-mate of both superstars.

Rui Costa played with Ronaldo for Portugal and campaigned with new Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo at AC Milan.

And the 48-year-old reckons the duo are a match made in heaven as former Italian playmaker Pirlo understands more than anyone what strikers like Ronaldo need to shine.

Cristiano Ronaldo will still be revered as a football legend 300 years from now, says Rui Costa

Star striker Ronaldo (left) says Juventus ‘play with a smile’ under new boss Andrea Pirlo (right)

‘In 300 years we will continue talking about Ronaldo, he is unique,’ Costa said.

‘He has maintained the same level in different teams, different leagues and in the national team.

‘He is 35 years old, he has won things over and over again. When he sets a goal, he achieves it. 

‘And knowing him well, I am convinced that, in addition to the Scudetto, he wants to conquer at all costs the top scorer, which has escaped him so far.’

Italian champions Juventus sacked Maurizio Sarri in the summer after just one season, despite the former Chelsea coach guiding them to a ninth straight Serie A title.

But it was his inability to get Juve beyond the last 16 in the Champions League, where they lost to Lyon, that proved costly – alongside claims that the Italian had an uneasy relationship with Ronaldo,  

Former Juve midfielder Pirlo was the shock replacement for Sarri in August, despite having no first-team coaching experience, but Costa reckons his knowledge of the game and what strikers need to score goals will suit Ronaldo down to the ground.

Midfield great Rui Costa (left) and Ronaldo were team-mates with  Portugal

‘Andrea was a champion and he knows perfectly how great players think, he knows what strikers need to shine on the pitch,’ Costa said.

‘Pirlo as a player was phenomenal serving strikers and that’s why he has this advantage in his relationship with Cristiano.

‘Then, contrary to what many may think, two champions like Cristiano and Pirlo solve problems and don’t create them. They are two football geniuses.

‘I am convinced Ronaldo will work well with him, as it worked with (at Real Madrid) Zinedine Zidane, like Andrea, he also knows exactly what strikers need.’ 

Ronaldo, who visibly clashed with Sarri on multiple occasions, has already hinted at a happier Juventus camp under new coach Pirlo.

He scored a brace on Sunday night to secure a point for Juventus away against Roma.

‘We’re enthusiastic and I see a bright future for us. What we’re seeing is that the team is happy to work with a smile,’ he said.

‘We’re at the start of the season, there’s a new coach, new ideas, but I see the team working well.’