Chelsea Football Club’s Ashley Cole admits he misses Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although the former Manchester United star is a big factor in the Blues not winning the title for three years, Cole insists he was sorry to see the Portuguese leave for Real Madrid.

"I miss playing against Cristiano Ronaldo, I really do," he said in the News of the World. "Manchester United don't seem the same without him - he's the best player in the world.

"I used to love our battles. If I'm concentrating, on my day I can do well against anyone, but he was something else. I love his skills, but I nearly ripped my groin when I was first playing against him because he did a trick and I did the splits.

"My mates were killing me after and I thought, 'Right, he's never embarrassing me again'. A couple of years later at Chelsea I showed him the imaginary pocket in my shorts and their fans were lapping up the banter."

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