Former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano expects even more to come from Cristiano Ronaldo as the player gets older.

The former Manchester United star will be 30 in February next year but continues to shine for the Bernabeu giants, having recently scored his 25th hat trick for the club.

Many now regard the Portuguese icon as the best player in the world following a scintillating start to Real’s campaign in La Liga and the Champions League.

Valdano believes time won’t slow down Ronaldo and feels the 2013 Ballon D’Or winner has earned his tag as one of the top players in the world.

He told Marca: “Normally, age starts playing a role in football as you get older. But Ronaldo is exceptional on all counts, including this.

“Cristiano is a tremendous player. He is always looking for perfection and is incredibly ambitious, which only spurs on his team-mates. This is worth a lot, just like all his goals.

“I think Ronaldo is the only player in the world who could play in each position in attack and be dominant regardless of where he plays.”

Ronaldo’s Real travel to Bulgaria on Wednesday to face Group B minnows Ludogorets at the Levski Stadium in Sofia.

The holders are 1.16 to add another three points to their tally in a group which also includes Liverpool, with Ludogorets at 13.37 to stun Carlo Ancelotti’s men. The draw is available to back at 7.51 but few would give Ludogorets a chance of stopping Ronaldo.

A better option might be to back Real to cover the First Half Handicap (-1.0) at 2.04 – something they have done in their last four league and cup matches.