Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has lavished praise on Cristiano Ronaldo for the manner in which the Portuguese has adapted his game in the latter stages of his career.

Ronaldo struggled for form early in the season, but the 33-year-old has been outstanding since the turn of the year, and his record stands at 37 goals in 35 matches for Real Madrid during the 2017-18 campaign.

Buffon will lock horns with Ronaldo in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month, and the veteran stopper has paid tribute to the "deadly" goal machine.

"He keeps improving his performance and adapting as an athlete, it's incredible," Diario AS quotes Buffon as saying. "On the pitch he uses less energy than what he did a few seasons ago, he has recognised how to adapt and become more pragmatic.

"This shows his intelligence in managing his body and his career but it has not impacted on his performance – he is still deadly in front of goal!"

Ronaldo has 12 Champions League goals in eight appearances for the European champions this season.