Courtois : Ronaldo is great but so am I

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has insisted he does not fear Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid.

The Portugal international has been in sublime form in Europe so far this season, netting 16 goals in 10 appearances, but Courtois is confident he has what it takes to deny the prolific attacker in this weekend's showpiece in Lisbon.

"I will not prepare in some special way for Ronaldo. I do not have any fear for him," Courtois was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Of course, he is a great player, but I am a great goalkeeper as well..."

Courtois then went on to stress that Atletico cannot afford to make the same mistakes Bayern Munich made in the semi-finals against Madrid and feels they should aim to put in a performance similar to that of Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.

"We should learn from Dortmund's second-leg display against Madrid. They showed how it's done.

"Bayern's tactics were silly. They copied Barcelona's style of play and Madrid know all about this philosophy.

"Their players only need a few seconds to cross the entire pitch. They have the perfect weapon against possession-based football."

Atletico and Real Madrid have met four times so far this season, with Diego Simeone's men winning once, losing twice and drawing the remaining game.

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Ronaldo : Neymar will go down in history

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has claimed that Neymar will "go down in history" as one of the best Brazilian players ever.

The 21-year-old has shone in 2013 - after signing for the Catalans from Santos in the early summer, he starred as the Selecao stormed to the Confederations Cup title and has subsequently starred for Gerardo Martino's men this season.

"It is a fact that Neymar will be a great player," Ronaldo told Brazilian television. "He will go down in history as one of the best Brazilian players in the world.

"He's on the right track. He's a charismatic player and is focused on what you have to do to succeed."

The Blaugrana are in the midst of a winter break but they are back in action against second-placed Atletico Madrid, who are level on points with the club.

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