Mesut Ozil Says Cristiano Ronaldo Made Him a Better Player at Real Madrid

Mesut Ozil has credited Cristiano Ronaldo with improving him as a player during the pair's time together at Real Madrid. 

The German reflected on his time playing with Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu in a video for Arsenal's Youtube channel:

Per Sky Sports' James Dale, he said of the Portuguese superstar:

"

Cristiano Ronaldo, I never saw one guy like him. He is the first guy in the dressing room and the last guy to go home. He wants to fight even in a training game.

He made me better on the pitch. Of course, I give my assists, a lot, to him and he knows. But I really enjoyed playing with him because he does not need a lot of chances.

So even if I give him two assists, he will score two. Amazing player. One of the greatest players in history.

"

Ozil played for Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, during which time he registered 81 assists and Ronaldo netted a staggering 168 goals.

The 31-year-old put pen to paper on a new five-year deal at Real on Monday:

He celebrated the contract by picking up an individual award:

Since his move to Madrid, Ozil has established himself among the world's best playmakers thanks to his almost unrivalled creativity, vision and passing.

With Ronaldo's incredible instincts and ability to ruthlessly finish chances, the duo forged a highly effective relationship at the Bernabeu and Los Blancos won the league thanks in part to their efforts in 2012—Ronaldo's only La Liga title in seven years at the club.

UMAXit Football's Tom Mellor is a keen admirer of both for the way they've defied critics over the course of their careers:

Indeed, despite their incredible talent, neither are strangers to criticism—Ronaldo because of perceived selfishness and his frequent failure to perform against elite sides in recent years, Ozil because of his somewhat underwhelming start to life at Arsenal and perceptions held because of his languid demeanour.

Nevertheless, the former has cemented his place among the best to ever play the game and Ozil is widely recognised for the world-class talent he is.

The German will be hoping he can help end Arsenal's 13-year wait for the Premier League title come May. If he does, the Gunners may have Ronaldo to thank.