Hugo Sanchez believes Cristiano Ronaldo has outranked himself, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Raul et al and become the greatest goalscorer in Real Madrid’s history. The 31-year-old Portuguese forward, who is competing with Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016 award, is the club’s all-time leading marksman, with a staggering 380 goals in only 367 games.

"That's a complicated one,” said Sanchez when asked by Marca who is Madrid’s best-ever goalscorer. “You would have to weigh up the time that each one spent at the club. For example, I am not the highest goalscorer in Mexico’s history, but that is because I didn't play as many games, as I was based in Europe.

“But I see the best as Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Raul, Ronaldo. Santillana was never a top goalscorer, but he scored a lot of times. Like Zamorano did. It is true that later Cristiano has come along and he has surpassed all of us. He will continue scoring and become the clear number one."

Sanchez also believes Ronaldo’s intelligence will enable him to continue thriving for years to come.

“Obviously physical attributes diminish, but you get wiser and more intuitive regarding where the ball will end up,” explained the 58-year-old who was renowned for his acrobatic volleys. “And here is where intelligence comes into it, and Cristiano has this. In the area, not only one player is going to mark him, but rather two or three, which is where it gets complicated. He will continue scoring."

The Best FIFA Men’s Player will be crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ ceremony in Zurich on 9 January 2017.