"It’s the ultimate model" - When Chelsea star Pedro Neto spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo

Chelsea forward Pedro Neto once called Cristiano Ronaldo the ultimate role model. The 24-year-old has shared the pitch 10 times with the Real Madrid legend, all for Portugal, winning nine games and losing just once.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has inspired a generation to pick up football. Despite being in the final phase of his career, Ronaldo has shown no signs of slowing down.

The Portuguese ace has appeared 216 times for his nation, scoring 135 goals and setting up 45 more. The 39-year-old, who currently plays for Saudi side Al-Nassr, has scored the most goals in the history of men's football.

Speaking to 1 Para 1 podcast in March last year, as cited by One Football, Neto claimed that he looked up to CR7 as a child.

“When I was a kid I watched his interviews with my parents, with my sisters. Just the fact of the way he speaks, the way of being the best, that you always have to think that you are the better because, if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. And I took that very literally. The way he thinks, and the way he works, I think it’s a model to follow. It’s the ultimate model,” said Neto.

Neto left Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer to join Chelsea, who reportedly paid £54m for his signature. The Portuguese has registered three goals and five assists from 21 games this season.

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How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored against Chelsea?

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has come up against Chelsea 17 times in his career, all during his time with Manchester United. The Portuguese superstar arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2003 from Sporting CP and faced the Blues for the first time in the 2003-04 campaign.

His first appearance against the London giants ended in a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Ronaldo's first win over Chelsea came in the 2005-06 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo set up Darren Fletcher to score the only goal of the game. The United legend has two goals and two assists against the Blues in his career, registering five wins and six defeats in 17 games.

Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opening goal in the 2007-08 Champions League final against Chelsea. Frank Lampard equalized for the Blues before the game went to penalties. Although Ronaldo missed his spot-kick, Manchester United still managed to win 6-5.

Of his 17 meetings against the Stamford Bridge outfit, Ronaldo won five times while he lost and drew six games each.