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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Van der Vaart has made some massive assertions</li><li>Played together with Ronaldo at Real Madrid in the 2009-10 season</li><li>Also revealed what differentiates CR7 from his peers</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Rafael van der Vaart claims he had 'better technique' than Cristiano Ronaldo as ex-Real Madrid star lifts lid on what really made CR7 'special'

LaLiga

Villarreal

Real Madrid

Saudi Pro League

Al Hilal

Al Nassr FC

<p>Van der Vaart shared the pitch with Ronaldo during the 2009-10 season at Real Madrid, following the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-emerges-shock-target-club-chief-talks-up-move-for-al-nassr-superstar/blt1fb1c2d0092e27d4#csc16d08453fdcc5c3" target="_blank">Portuguese star’s record-breaking £80 million </a>move from Manchester United. Although Ronaldo would go on to become Los Blancos' all-time leading goal scorer, with 450 strikes in 438 matches, Van der Vaart believes his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/shots-cristiano-ronaldo-ex-al-nassr-star-anderson-talisca-claims-fans-afraid-to-say-where-mistake-is-saudi-club-defends-jhon-duran/bltf40c2803a67dc8b6" target="_blank">own technique was sharper </a>in certain aspects.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>When asked about the best players he played alongside, Van der Vaart had no hesitation in naming Ronaldo, citing his unmatched determination and commitment to improvement.</p><p>"Of course, I have to mention Cristiano Ronaldo because I spent a year playing with him at Real Madrid," Van der Vaart told <a href="https://talksport.com/football/2983654/rafael-van-der-vaart-better-technique-than-cristiano-ronaldo/" target="_blank"><em>talkSPORT. </em></a></p><p>When asked whether mental strength was the key factor that separated Ronaldo from other footballers, Van der Vaart made a bold claim about his own abilities.</p><p>He said: “Absolutely, because if you ask me who had the better technique, me or Ronaldo, I would say myself in terms of first touch and passing. But he was so fit and so focused on scoring goals and winning things. I just went on the pitch and when it was 3-3 or 4-4, I preferred that to a 1-0 win. His way of thinking is the biggest difference.”</p>

WHAT VAN DER VAART SAID

<p>Van der Vaart says Ronaldo always remained laser-focused on pushing his limits and would always work towards the next goal.</p><p>"You see from really close how special he is, how much effort he puts in every day," he added.</p><p>"I was not not a player like that. I liked to go out, enjoy life. But he was in the gym training two or three times a day, recovering, and then scoring goals. For me, I have a son who is 18 and plays for Ajax under 19s and I always give Ronaldo as an example because he was never satisfied.</p><p>"When I scored one goal after ten minutes I thought okay, we’ve had a good game and I can just enjoy it now. He was not (satisfied). When he scored three he wanted four so that was a big quality – and he’s still doing it at his age."</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Even at 40, Ronaldo remains as prolific as ever and has scored 25 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for Saudi outfit Al-Nassr this season. Although Ronaldo was rested during <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/al-nassr-cristiano-ronaldo-update-left-out-of-squad-afc-champions-league-last-16-tie/bltbce3f4d88aa3f38e" target="_blank">Al-Nassr’s recent 0-0 draw with Esteghlal in</a> the AFC Champions League due to muscle fatigue, he is expected to return to action on March 7, when Stefano Pioli's side face Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Rafael van der Vaart claims he had 'better technique' than Cristiano Ronaldo as ex-Real Madrid star lifts lid on what really made CR7 'special' | Goal.com

Rafael van der Vaart has startlingly claimed his technical abilities were better than Cristiano Ronaldo, who he worked with for a year at Real Madrid.

Rafael van der Vaart claims he had &apos;better technique&apos; than Cristiano Ronaldo as ex-Real Madrid star lifts lid on what really made CR7 &apos;special&apos;

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