"If we are talking strictly about talent and skill, nobody surpasses Ronaldo," says Jose Mourinho.
“When he was at Barcelona with Bobby Robson, I realised that he was the best player I’d ever seen take to the field."
Known as El Fenomeno, the Brazil striker enjoyed the highest of highs and lowest of lows during an illustrious career.
From winning a first World Cup at 17, adding another at 25 with a match-winning double in the final as he bounced back from career-threatening knee injuries, through spells with PSV Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and in his homeland, his balletic brilliance, brute force and goalscoring prowess saw him adored across the globe.
Look at strikers across the planet playing nowadays and for many, their idol was the Selecao No.9.
Now, in the continuation of our series, Mirror Football takes a look at those stars who went into battle with him most frequently.
In a 4-1-4-1 formation, here's El Fenomeno's Ultimate XI:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 165
Real Madrid's long-time custodian, Casillas was just starting to make the No.1 spot definitively his when Ronaldo arrived in 2002. One of the finest goalkeepers of his generation.
Right back: Michel Salgado
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 146
Real Madrid's long-time right-back - before a late career sojourn at Blackburn, tough-tackling and tenacious Salgado made 146 appearances alongside the Brazilian; keeps Javier Zanetti from the right-back slot.
Centre-back: Francisco Pavon
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 87
Thanks to Florentino Perez's early 2000s project being dubbed Galacticos y Pavones, history will never remember the defender too fondly, but he lasted nine years at the club.
Centre-back: Ivan Helguera
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 134
A versatile holding midfielder-turned-centre-back, Helguera was a smart defender, who read the game well and used the ball diligently. Made 334 appearances in total for Los Blancos and won 47 Spain caps.
Left-back: Robert Carlos
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 261
The only man to make over 200 career appearances alongside Ronaldo. The two had a highly productive relationship spanning over 15 years, first with country and then clubs, having played together at both Real Madrid and in their respective swansongs in Brazil, at Corinthians.
Defensive-midfield: Diego Simeone
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 59
Nicking in on account of his ability to balance this team in a more than acceptable 4-1-4-1 formation is the dastardly, snarling Argentine - now Atletico Madrid boss - having spent two years together at Inter Milan. They lifted the UEFA Cup together in 1998.
Right-midfield: Luis Figo
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 164
Figo and Ronaldo were reunited in the Spanish capital in 2002 having initially been teammates at Barcelona during Ronaldo's ridiculous solo season at Camp Nou. That year they won the Cup Winners' Cup and Spanish Cup, under the tutelage of Sir Bobby Robson.
Centre-midfield: David Beckham
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 104
Remember this? Beckham in the middle! When the England captain moved to the Bernabeu in 2003, it was assumed he would operate on the right with Luis Figo switching left; instead, for the most part Figo stayed right and Beckham was moved into the heart of the action.
Centre-midfield: Guti
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 123
The Spain international made 19 appearances more alongside Ronaldo than Beckham - but actually played less minutes with the Brazilian. As far as vision and picking a pass with a left foot, there have been few better.
Left-midfield: Zinedine Zidane
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 139
No footballers define that late-90s, early 2000s generation more than Ronaldo and the exquisite Frenchman. Just the nine FIFA World Player of the Year/Ballon d'Or titles between them.
Centre-forward: Raul
Appearances alongside Ronaldo: 142
Of forwards to play in tandem with the Brazilian, only Real Madrid captain appeared alongside him on more than 50 occasions. At their best, their movement tore teams apart.
Subs: Pagliuca, (68), Cafu (83), Zanetti (85), Solari (72), Bravo (71), Cauet (65), Bergomi (56)
