'I've never seen a player so attentive' - Cristiano Ronaldo's 'unique seriousness' is what makes Real Madrid icon a 'model for others', claims Carlo Ancelotti

The Real Madrid boss was giving a sit-down interview with Swiss Radio station RSI. 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.

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.

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."

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'.