Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema does not hide his admiration for former top striker Ronaldo. The French attacker late in conversation with ESPN know that the former Brazil international inspired him in his younger days. According to Benzema, Ronaldo has revolutionized the attacker’s position.
“I have said this many times before: Ronaldo is my role model. He is the only attacker who can put me on the bench,” said 33-year-old Benzema. “Thanks to him, I started practicing the scissors movement and imitated his movements. That day I really fell in love with football.” Ronaldo broke through in Europe at PSV and later played for Barcelona, Internazionale, Real Madrid and AC Milan, among others.
“Zizou (Zinedine Zidane, ed.) is also important, but Ronaldo has radically changed the position of attacker,” said Ronaldo. “He is a complete attacker, an example. If you want to learn something about an attacker, you should go to R9 to look. That applies not only to me, but to everyone.” Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or twice (1997 and 2002) and became world champion with Brazil in 1994 and 2002.
Benzema discusses Ronaldo in the interview on the basis of an old photo, which shows him together with the Brazilian. “That was our first meeting. I was very young then. But I really enjoyed that, because thanks to him I now play football,” said Benzema about the now 45-year-old Ronaldo.
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