Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has named former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the "eternal" talents of football during a touching tribute to Pele.
The Brazilian legend passed away on Thursday evening. Those across the football world united to pay tribute to the 82-year-old with United's Brazilian stars Casemiro, Antony and Fred sending poignant messages.
During City's press conference ahead of their clash with Everton, Guardiola paid tribute to Pele and named several players who he felt transcended the sport, including Ronaldo. He told reporters: "I never pretend to be Pele, honestly.
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"I never saw him play, I spoke with people who said he was the greatest for them. What he has done, not just winning three World Cups, the goals and he was a new thing when he came up.
"I was not born when he was playing. It's like a good movie, the legacy that we're still talking about him, about a good movie, a good book, because he was so good.
"Pele, [Diego] Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff, [Lionel] Messi, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Cristiano Ronaldo, these players will be eternal. They have done many things for many years, these types of players make our business, our job, a better place.
"What he produced for the feeling for the people. We have seen the World Cup, one team can produce for a country, it's incredible.
"It's not another event can produce this emotion. This part of exceptional players can produce the emotion for the players."
Ronaldo left Old Trafford in November following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan. During the conversation, the 37-year-old openly criticised the club, Erik ten Hag, the Glazers and some of his old teammates who had spoken out against him.
The Portugal international was the only free agent at the World Cup in Qatar and would be eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Morocco.
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