Hugo Sanchez Talks Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and More

Former Real Madrid star Hugo Sanchez has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to succeed as a No. 9, but he does not believe the forward is currently comfortable in the position.

The Portuguese superstar drew level with Sanchez as La Liga's third-highest scorer ever by netting his 234th goal against Eibar on Sunday, per the Champions League. 

Ronaldo has played more regularly as an out-and-out striker this season under manager Rafael Benitez—his more common position previously has been on the left flank—and the former Mexican international believes the CR7 can adapt, per Sergio Gomez in Spanish outlet AS: 

"

He [Ronaldo] spends more time in the box now. The time has come to rely less on physical exertion and keep energy levels for key moments of the game. This happened to us all and it’s now happening to Cristiano.

[...]

I see that at times he’s somewhat uncomfortable in this role as a centre forward, but his talent and his faculties will attest for him. He’ll do well.

"

Ronaldo is 31 in February and is undoubtedly entering the latter stages of his glorious career.    

Playing up front could well be essential in keeping him fit in the long term, but he has not looked quite as deadly this term playing as a No. 9.

He has still scored nine goals in 13 La Liga matches, but considering he netted 48 in 35 last term, that constitutes a drop-off in form, per WhoScored.com.

The former Manchester United man has cut an increasingly frustrated figure at Los Blancos this season, and recent rumours have suggested he may depart the Bernabeu next summer, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

Sanchez suggested that Ronaldo may be missing the presence of Karim Benzema but refused to comment on the Frenchman's recent off-field problems, per Gomez:

"That’s something that I won’t comment on," said Sanchez. "What I do know is that Benzema is very talented, but he’s not a predatory player, he opens spaces. ... Cristiano is maybe suffering from not playing alongside him. A forward line should have a combination of predatory and creative talents."

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

The 57-year-old also suggested to Gomez that Gareth Bale is a similar player to Ronaldo "on a physical and technical level."

There is no doubting the Welshman would be seen as the obvious successor to Ronaldo should he leave the club.

It is surely premature to talk of any decline for Ronaldo, but he does seem to be struggling slightly playing up front on his own.

As Sanchez indicated, he undoubtedly has the quality to adapt, but he may become increasingly frustrated if he fails to make the same impact as he is used to at Real.