Ronaldo Wants Philippe Coutinho at Real Madrid, Talks Lionel Messi, Neymar, More

Former Brazil and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo has admitted he would love to see Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho at the Spanish club in the future. 

The Reds star has been enjoying a wonderful season both domestically, excelling under the guidance of manager Jurgen Klopp, and with the Brazil national side. Ronaldo thinks his compatriot would fit in at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I would like to see Coutinho at Real Madrid, the Liverpool player," the former Los Blancos star said to Onda Cero’s El Transistor show (h/t Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC).

Coutinho has been linked with a move away from Anfield in the past, with Paul Joyce of the Daily Express noting earlier this year that Paris Saint-Germain were one of three clubs looking to sign the midfielder. However, in a recent interview with James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, Coutinho said the club “feels like home.”

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Of course, that may well change quickly if a club like Real Madrid were to come in with a big-money offer. 

Coutinho would undoubtedly make an impression in the Spanish capital; these numbers from Squawka Football show how effective he can be in the final third:

The Liverpool man will be looking to bridge the gap to the best players in the world this season, something Ronaldo also discussed.

The man known as “The Phenomenon” during his playing days was asked who he preferred out of Real star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Neymar. While his response was coy initially, his love for Madrid swayed his decision.

“It is so difficult to choose just one as the best,” said the 40-year-old. “They are very, very good. At the moment I will choose Cristiano as he is playing for Real Madrid, but we cannot forget how good Messi and Neymar are, and we must respect these players for the entertainment they bring us.”

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Given the standards Messi and Ronaldo continue to set, it’s a choice even the great figures of the game struggle with. Argentina icon Diego Maradona wasn’t totally sure when asked recently either, per Bleacher Report UK:

As an orthodox centre-forward during his time as a footballer, perhaps it was little surprise to see Ronaldo suggest that Barcelona No. 9 Luis Suarez also belongs in that elite bracket. “They are three great players,” he said. “I would also include [Suarez] as he is playing very well.”

At the moment there are no links between Coutinho and Madrid, so it seems unlikely Ronaldo will see his wish granted in the short term. However, should the 24-year-old start turning in world-class performances for Liverpool on a consistent basis, it’d be no surprise to see the biggest clubs in the world make a move for him.

Ronaldo’s namesake will likely be crowned as the best player in the world at the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony early next year after a memorable 2016. The 31-year-old helped Real Madrid to UEFA Champions League glory and Portugal to become champions of Europe in one of the defining spells of his distinguished career.