“It was an extraordinary performance from everyone, a really special night,” Matuidi said.
Juventus' Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic (L) embraces Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match Juventus vs Atletico Madrid on March 12, 2019 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. (Photo: AFP)
Juventus’ French midfielder Blaise Matuidi lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world after he fired Juventus into the quarterfinals of the Champions League last eight. The Italian champions overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit by beating La Liga giants Atletico Madrid 3-0 to secure their spot in the next round of UEFA Champions League (UCL).
Late Tuesday night, CR7 scored two headers to level the tie before netting a late penalty to complete his hat-trick and in the process fired Old Lady to a stunning fightback.
“It was an extraordinary performance from everyone, a really special night,” Matuidi told Sky Sport Italia.
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“We are happy to have qualified for the quarter-finals, but we’ve got to keep this going and do even better. Just three weeks ago, everyone assumed we were out, so let’s go slowly before talking about the Final,” Matuidi added.
Matuidi also hailed the ‘world best’ Cristiano Ronaldo before stating that he made the difference for Juventus.
“I do think we always need to play the way we did tonight. I am very happy here, as we have many quality players, a very strong team and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the best in the world,” Matuidi said, before adding, “He made the difference at Real Madrid last season and this time he’s with us, so that is why we believe even more.”
Former Manchester United star and BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand also heaped praises on CR7.
“He’s a living football god. It is ridiculous what he is doing,” Ferdinand said. “It is the Champions League and he has every record you can imagine. He is joint top scorer and hat-trick man with Messi.
“His first goal is like Duncan Ferguson in his prime. He attacks the ball and leaves the centre back in a heap and then says ‘this is me’. That is what you call desire,” Ferdinand added.
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