Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane have become the latest people to pay their tribute to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard ahead of his final game for the Merseyside club on Sunday.
The 34-year-old, who already played his final game at Anfield against Crystal Palace on 16 May, is now set to play his final game for Liverpool against Stoke City at Britannia Stadium on Sunday.
Many players (former and current) have already paid their tributes to the Liverpool legend, who has made over 700 appearances for the Reds in all competitions in an illustrious 17-year-long career.
And now Ronaldo and Zidane are the latest to pay their tributes to the departing Reds captain.
Ronaldo, who faced Gerrard a lot of times when he was a Manchester United player from 2002 – 2009, told Liverpool's official YouTube channel: "Hello, Steve. Just to say it was a pleasure to play with you many years when we play Manchester against Liverpool. You are a fantastic player. I wish you all the best for your career and for your life."
Former France midfielder Zidane, who played against Gerrard at the 2004 European Championships, also showered praises on the former England captain, insisting that the midfielder's style of play reminds him of himself.
"He's a player that I really thought a lot of, I had a lot of time for him and rated him. I can't say that about everyone," the 42-year-old, who is currently the manager of Real Madrid's reserve squad, told LFCTV.
"Why did I like him so much? Perhaps there was something about him that reminded me a little bit of myself."
"He made a lot of noise out there on the field but was quiet off it, meaning that he was someone down to earth and grounded away from the game who just said what needed to be said.
"He preferred to do his talking on the field, using his voice, his combative spirit and above all his ability on the ball that could make the difference in a game."
Zidane, who revealed that he would have liked to play alongside Gerrard at Real Madrid, says that he admires the midfielder's loyalty to Liverpool.
"I would have really liked to have played alongside him, but he has always remained loyal to his own club, Liverpool -- the club of his heart," he added.
"That also is another characteristic that is particular to him, I don't think there are too many players who have spent their entire career playing for just one club."
