Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo admits his relationship with Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is "extraordinary".

Ronaldo admitted: "I have an extraordinary relationship with Scolari and I can say we're real friends.

"It was him who gave me my debut for the national team. Just for that he'd be a special person for me.

"But Scolari has done more than that: he's advised me very well - as much with football- related matters as with difficult moments I've had to overcome."

Ronaldo added: "I'll never forget the conversation we had when my father died. It marked me profoundly. I understood that he had also experienced something identical when his father died and we cried together.

"But that's just one of his facets, because he's also capable of creating a good atmosphere and joking around.

"As he'd already handled great players and shared fantastic moments with them - such as when he won the World Cup with Brazil, he understands us like nobody else. I've learnt a lot from him and I've got special affection for him."