Fernando Santos: 'Cristiano Ronaldo is not a striker'

Portugal boss Fernando Santos has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player operating from one side of the field, rather than as a central striker.

The 30-year-old started his professional career as an out-and-out winger, but has developed into more of a forward over the last couple of seasons.

Although the Portuguese still operates from a wide area for Real Madrid, he has been deployed as a central striker this season.

Santos, however, still thinks that the Ronaldo is best used from one side of the field.

"If we had a [Karim] Benzema I'd think about playing 4-4-2 but I think it's better to play with two mobile forwards [in a 4-3-3]," Santos told EFE.

"He's never going to be a striker, a classic number nine, who only plays in the penalty area. Nor is he a classic winger, like Luis Figo. Cristiano performs better when he comes from the wing into the middle."

Ronaldo, who is now Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer, has netted 55 times in 123 games for Portugal.