Cristiano Ronaldo impressed by Belgian talent Romelu Lukaku
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has praised the talent of Anderlecht's Romelu Lukaku, who has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital.
Lukaku, 17, scored 15 goals in 33 league appearances to become the Belgian top flight's highest scorer last season.
The striker, whose commanding physical presence and eye for goal has led to comparisons to Chelsea's Didier Drogba, and has been linked with several of Europe's top clubs, including Real, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Ronaldo, who joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon at 18, said he is not in a position to say how Lukaku should respond to the clubs that are courting him.
"I made a decision that paid off but it’s not for me to give advice to Lukaku. He has to make his own choice but I’m sure that he will have a great career," Ronaldo, now 25, told reporters before adding that he has been impressed by the Belgian.
"At 17 when he is not playing in a major championship, he has managed to make himself known to many people like me. I think that he’s a really fantastic young player. I’m curious to see what he will do in the coming months or at the end of the season. But
Lukaku is on track; he must continue to work this way."
Lukaku flattered by Ronaldo's comments
Lukaku, who showed his strength in the penalty box against Westerlo on 24 October when he held off two defenders and squeezed a shot beneath the goalkeeper for his team's second, said he is flattered by Ronaldo's praise.
"It's obviously a great honour for me that a player of such a high level has made such an elegant comment," the teenager told Belgian website sporza.be. "Cristiano is an example that I hope I will be able to follow."
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