Real Madrid chief: Everything Ronaldo touches turns to gold

Real Madrid sports chief Jorge Valdano was delighted with the contribution of his 'crack' Ronaldo after last night's performance at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian's hat-trick assured Real passage to the Champions League semifinals and Valdano said, "He has had three chances and has scored three goals. To do that, you can only be a 'crack', to turn a match like that."

"There are other players who have more opportunities at goal, but do not have the capacity to turn into gold everything they touch."

Valdano added, "It was a great game, but Manchester just needed one goal more, especially in the first-half, and things could have finished very differently. The pressure would have been unbearable."

Real president Florentino Perez said, "Ronaldo is the best striker in the world."

"Now is the moment for taking stock and celebrating this game. I agree with a sign I saw one of our fans hold - 'We will be back in a month' - I am very pleased."