Mark Clattenburg: Ronaldo Has The Ability To Raise The Game When The Team Is Down

Mark Clattenburg one of football most experienced referee gave a graceful and honest interview on Christiano Ronaldo. He said it was a privilege to share the pitch with him anytime he is given the opportunity to be the referee of Real Madrid's match and insisted that he though he love Ronaldo but he can't treat him specially from any other players. Below is the interview:

Mark Clattenburg: "The one things i admired above all else was Cristiano Ronaldo's ability to raise his game when the team were down."

"I refereed him as a young player in the Premier League, then at Real Madrid and he always delivered. You just knew you were sharing the pitch with a truly unique player who could change the game in an instant."

"And I got on very well with him. When went up the stairs to get my medal after the Euro 2016 final, he tried to grab me and give me a hug - that was the level of respect we had."

"I was disappointed when he got injured early in the final because the game lost a great player."

"But I never treated him differently from any other player and I think that's why we had a good relationship."

"After one game, a shirt came into my dressing room signed: 'To Mark, best wishes, Cristiano Ronaldo'. I hadn't even asked for it. It was such a nice gesture. I don't think I ever booked him - maybe that's why I got the shirt!."

"The first time I refereed Real Madrid, I remember Iker Casillas got the ball from a corner and within three passes they had scored - I wasn't even past the halfway line! But that is what great players like Ronaldo can do. He was so quick and clinical it's little surprise Real Madrid aren't the same team without him."

"I was in charge when he stepped up for the decisive penalty in the champions league final in 2016."

"My only thought was: "When this is finished I need to get the match ball!" But I knew where it would soon be - in the back of the net."

"He hadn't played that well and I could tell he wasn't fully fit. But you just knew it would still be the Cristiano Ronaldo Show"