Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has praised Cristiano Ronaldo's work ethic and his desire to keep improving.
While a fierce rivalry may exist between Barcelona and Real Madrid and with El Clasico on the horizon, one would expect a certain amount of mind games ahead of the derby clash, but Pique has taken a respectful approach to matters.
The Spaniard has hailed Ronaldo's talent and his determination to always better himself despite reaching the pinnacle of the game.
"[Cristiano Ronaldo] has not changed; he is a player that I have always admired because he is a hard worker that always wants more and more," Pique is quoted as saying by Marca.
"He is a real machine and very ambitious. He never ever stops trying to improve.
"Some say he is the best but he still wants to get better, and for that reason I admire him."
However, Pique is not as complementary of Madrid's recruitment process, asserting that it is Barcelona's youth system that has seen them rise above los Blancos in recent years.
"Barcelona have always been behind Real Madrid, but in the last 10 or 15 years we have turned the situation around," he said.
"We have brought through a great crop of youngsters at the club and this has helped us to compete.
"Real Madrid go one year without winning a title and they spend ?160 million on three players: [Asier] Illarramendi, Isco and [Gareth] Bale. Barcelona can sign Neymar for ?60 or ?70 million but not three players.
"The day we do not have La Masia, things won't be the same."
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