Gianluigi Buffon names one surprising player who was as lethal as Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

The 40-year-old Italian legend has reached three Champions League finals with Juventus but is still yet to get hands on the trophy.

Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid beat the Italian giants 4-1 in the final last season.

Buffon, who is surely coming to the end of his career, is set to face the Portuguese forward in Turin on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo was rested by Zinedine Zidane over the weekend but has been in scintillating form recently, scoring 21 goals in his last 11 appearances for Los Blancos.

The 33-year-old superstar, who was unstoppable in last season's knockout stages, scored three times as Real Madrid eliminated PSG in the last 16.

He rates Ronaldo very highly but suggested there is one player who could rival the Real Madrid man in front of goal.

Lionel Messi has only ever scored once against Buffon and the veteran stopper overlooked Barcelona's star man.

"I have unlimited admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo," said Buffon to MARCA.

"He has been able to improve with age. I admire him because he's a person who knows what he's doing and he is pragmatic.

"In recent years he has shown that he is intelligent. He has changed his position, he wastes less energy, yet he is just as lethal.

"In front of goal he is a real assassin.

    "The only player I've seen have this clarity when shooting on his own is David Trezeguet."

Trezeguet, who retired in 2014, spent 10 years at Juventus and scored 138 Serie A goals for the Old Lady.

The French striker was a sublime finisher - and you'd be brave to argue against one of the greatest ever goalkeepers who faced him in training for nine seasons.

Buffon will have to be at his best if he is to keep Real Madrid's "assassin" off the scoresheet at the Juventus Stadium.