Figo hails Brazilian duo after Real win

Luis Figo claimed that Brazilian duo Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were the difference between the sides on Tuesday as Real Madrid romped to victory over South American champions Olimpia in the World Club Cup in Yokohama.

Ronaldo opened the scoring when he capped off a superb move by stroking the ball into the bottom corner after 14 minutes while Roberto Carlos was a constant menace to Olimpia as he rampaged up and down the left wing, producing a steady stream of crosses and ferocious shots.

The pair are regarded as two of the favourites to scoop the prestigious Ballon d’Or award at the end of the year, and Figo believes that both would be fitting winners. "What can I say about them? They are great, great players and I think everyone saw their quality tonight," said the Portugal international.

With Figo, Zidane and Raul all at their best, Ronaldo was always likely to get chances on the day he returned to the ground where he struck two goals to clinch the World Cup for Brazil against Germany five months ago. And Figo added: "Perhaps Ronaldo could have got a couple more goals tonight, but it did not matter in the end. We achieved what we set out to do, so we have to be happy."

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is targeting Champions League glory with Real after picking up his first trophy since he joined the nine-time European champions in the summer. "I had the same sort of motivation today as I did before the World Cup final. It was a different type of game but you need those pre-match nerves in a big game like this," said the former Inter hitman.

"Hopefully we can win the Champions League again this season and come back to Japan for the World Club Cup again."

Real eventually sealed victory on Tuesday when Guti, who had come on for Ronaldo, headed home Figo’s cross in the 84th minute, thus allowing the European champions to put to bed the memory of the 2-1 defeat to Argentina's Boca Juniors two years ago.

Real won the World Club Cup in 1998 with a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama of Brazil. They also won the inaugural title in 1960, when the competition was played over two legs. It was replaced by a one-match format in 1980.