Ronaldo 'can be Portuguese legend'

The former mentor of Manchester United starlet Cristiano Ronaldo believes the winger has what it takes to join Eusebio and Luis Figo in the pantheon of Portuguese legends.

Ronaldo has impressed in his two substitute appearances for the host nation in Euro 2004 although he gave away the penalty for Greece’s second goal against Portugal in the tournament opening 2-1 defeat for the hosts at the Estadio do Dragao.

Ronaldo scored Portugal’s consolation goal in that game and then set up fellow substitute Manuel Rui Costa for their second in the 2-0 win over Russia in Lisbon on Wednesday.

Ronaldo’s former coach at Sporting Lisbon, Laszlo Boloni, is in charge of French club Rennes but praised his former player in his column for O Jogo newspaper.

He said: “It’s true that Cristiano is sometimes over the top with his step-overs but the pass (to Rui Costa) for the second goal was that of a great player.

“He is assured of a future as a great player. I hope he takes his success with the same modesty as Eusebio and Figo because that will make the Portuguese happy.

“It would make a Frenchman happy too,” said Boloni who is now a French citizen.