Brazil icon Ronaldo was a one-of-a-kind talent who can't be matched by the stars of today, according to his former teammate Roberto Carlos.
The pair played together for both Brazil and Real Madrid, with Ronaldo shining as he inspired his nation to the 1998 World Cup final and then the trophy itself four years later.
The former No.9 was widely considered to be the best forward in the world in his prime, and long before the ongoing Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate was embraced by football fans across the globe.
Carlos thinks there is no argument though, and places his old teammate above both of today's celebrated players as well as Brazil's current star Neymar.
"Ronaldo stood out in training. He was the best. There will never be another Ronaldo 'Fenomeno'," Carlos told Goal.com.
"Not Neymar, Cristiano or Messi – Ronaldo is unique.
"I think in our generation it was harder to score goals. It was more physical back then and attackers were less protected. But Ronaldo could do everything."
Ronaldo joined Carlos at Real Madrid in the summer of 2002, shortly after he had helped Brazil clinch the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
There had been question marks over the forward's fitness when he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he quickly dispelled those fears on the way to scoring 104 goals in 177 appearances for the club.
Carlos, though, says he never had any doubt that Ronaldo would shine in the Spanish capital.
"I knew how unbelievable he was when he arrived but a lot of people at Madrid didn't," he added.
"He surprised a lot of people. I remember 80,000 people were very happy and pleasantly surprised by him."
