Cristiano Ronaldo toughest opponent I’ve ever faced – Ashley Cole

Former England defender, Ashley Cole, has said Cristiano Ronaldo is the toughest opponent he has ever faced.

Cole revealed this on Monday after being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The fullback, who played for Arsenal and Chelsea, described Ronaldo as a complete footballer, who gave him nightmares on the pitch.

Cole said: “Over the years, Cristiano Ronaldo and I had some mighty battles and we have a mutual respect for each other.

“He came to the Premier League as a little bit of an unknown, but he soon understood what it took to be a top player. He was willing to learn and adapt. He wanted to be the best player in the world and became a machine.

“He had everything. He could dribble, he could sprint behind, he could leap and jump and head a ball, he could go inside, he could go outside. So I say he always gave me nightmares, but you try to work each other out and we got the best of each other at times.

“Whenever I hear his name or see his face, I always think of when he made me do the splits! [in 2003/04, Ronaldo’s first Premier League season].”