CRISTIANO RONALDO'S TOP TEAM-MATES

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best footballers ever to grace the game - but which players have been selected alongside him the most times and how does his time at Manchester United influence these statistics?

The Juventus star sparkled for Sporting Lisbon, the Reds and Real Madrid before embarking on his latest challenge in Italy.

While at Old Trafford, he matured from a raw, highly-skilled youngster into a world-class goal machine.

United and Real Madrid, inevitably, dominate the upper echelons of Ronaldo's most frequent team-mates.

There are seven players from the Bernabeu giants and four from Old Trafford. The colleague he has shared a pitch with the most is French striker Karim Benzema, once a target for Sir Alex Ferguson when impressing at Lyon.

TOP THREE TEAM-MATES

1. Karim Benzema (342 games)
A talented French forward who developed a selfless reputation when helping allow Ronaldo to enjoy something of a free role at Real. The two often combined well when the Spanish aristocrats were hunting goals and trophies.

2. Sergio Ramos (339 games)
Real and Spain skipper who has the same winning mentality as Ronaldo and has remained a hugely influential figure in Madrid. An automatic selection when fit, if not suspended, it is no surprise he racked up the games alongside Cristiano.

3. Marcelo (332 games)
Reflecting the Portugal international's longevity in the Spanish capital, the third player on the list is Brazilian colleague Marcelo. The full-back is pals with the ex-United man and they struck up a great relationship on the field as well.

Ronaldo's top team: Iker Casillas; John O'Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Ryan Giggs; Karim Benzema, Wayne Rooney.

Stats courtesy of www.transfermarkt.com.