Ronaldo: Puyol is the Hierro of Barcelona

Former Brazil international Ronaldo has voiced his admiration for Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, comparing the center back to Real Madrid icon Fernando Hierro.

The 35-year-old defender announced earlier this week that he will leave Camp Nou at the end of the season and Ronaldo has nothing but respect for his old adversary.

"It took me by surprise. His status at Barcelona is like Hierro's at Real Madrid. He's a club icon," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Marca. "He has always been very loyal and polite. He is a role model. Puyol is an embodiment of fair play in football."

Ronaldo also briefly looked back at the times when he met Puyol on the pitch and admitted that the defender always made life hard for him.