The 32-year-old hailed the Portugal captain after his country won Euro 2016.
"Even with the injury [Ronaldo] never stopped, he always supported the team and that's why I say, not just as a friend, that he is the only person I admire in football," Quaresma told O Jogo.
He added: "I admire the strength he has.
"We have a great captain, it is an honour to play alongside him and have him in the national team and all Portuguese people should be proud to have Cristiano.
"[His critics] speak of him and do not know him as a person. He is a great person, a great captain and he deserves everything he has achieved in football. He always has confidence and is positive and that's what he gave us."
Do you think the media are overly harsh on Ronaldo?