Ronaldo praises Ozil influence

Posted Wednesday, November 09, 2011 by ESPN

Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo believes the presence of Mesut Ozil in the side has made him a better player.

Ozil joined Real from Werder Bremen at the start of last season and had a brilliant debut campaign in La Liga, netting ten goals and laying on 26 assists in 53 games.

And Ronaldo, who scored 53 goals in all competition last season, insists the signing of Ozil has helped him greatly on the pitch.

"Yes, Mesut has made me better," Ronaldo told Kicker. "If you have great players around you, your play becomes stronger.

"Ozil is fantastic. He can read the game and knows when to play the pass, when he should take a dribble - that's simply class."

Having often been on the receiving end of a brilliant Ozil through-pass, Ronaldo believes the two of them share a telepathic understanding on the field.

"We have a really good connection and this is still getting better.

"I love to play with him, he is fantastic."

And despite being regarded as one of the world's best players at the moment, the Portuguese international believes there is still improvement left in his game.

"Well, you never know your limits.

"And of course I can do a few things better."

Ronaldo has already scored 17 goals in all competition this season, and looks set for another blinding campaign with Los Blancos.