Cristiano Ronaldo's "perfect" work ethic at Real Madrid is the reason why he has been able to stay at the top of the game for long, says former Atletico Madrid star Simao.
Madrid face off against their city and LaLiga rivals in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with Los Blancos aiming to retain the title they won by beating Atleti in a penalty shootout last season.
Simao's loyalties may be with the red and white side of Madrid, but he paid tribute to his former Portugal team-mate's appetite and desire to constantly improve ahead of Tuesday's first leg at Santiago Bernabeu.
"Every day, when he wakes up, he is the first one on the bench," Simao told Omnisport. "He starts to work one hour before the training starts. He trains and after the training, he keeps working. That is in that level that nobody expected.
"He always wants more. He knows that if he wants to be at this level, he needs to work more and more. He has been always a winner, who when he wakes up he just thinks of work and work.