'Every footballer wants to play with Cristiano': Emre Can talks about the Ronaldo influence

Manchester United v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Group H

What's the story?

Joining a host of players who have come out to talk about the influential power of Cristiano Ronaldo at Turin, Juventus midfielder Emre Can has heaped praise on his teammate, stating that it is every footballer's dream to play with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

In case you didn't know...

Can joined the Old Lady in the same summer as Ronaldo. While the German has struggled to get himself at the top of the pecking order under Max Allegri, Ronaldo has since helped the Bianconeri outfit maintain a comfortable lead in the Serie A and has boosted Juventus' Champions League chances this season.

Ronaldo has found the net 19 times in 30 appearances for the Italian giants so far this season and his goal tally is only set to go up.

The Turin-based club has not won the European trophy since 1996 under then-boss Marcello Lippi.

The heart of the matter

Can has opened up about his life in Italy and what it is like to play with a player of Ronaldo's calibre.

According to The Express UK, the German international said, "It’s great to play with Cristiano. Every footballer wants to play with Cristiano - he’s a big player and off the pitch, he’s a great guy."

"You can always talk to him and you can learn from him a lot. I think he gives a push to the team, and to everyone."

Despite his lack of playing time, Can insists that he is happy with life in Italy. "I like the country. I think the people here really want to enjoy their life and I really like it. For summer, for example, they all want to go out and have coffee."

What's next?

Juventus currently sit at the top of the league table with 60 points, nine points clear of second-placed Napoli. The side will next face Sassuolo in the Serie A on Sunday night.

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