Cristiano Ronaldo sends tribute video to Steven Gerrard ahead of Liverpool captain's final Premier League match

Ronaldo labels Gerrard a 'fantastic player' ahead of his final match which comes against Stoke on Sunday

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a video to Steven Gerrard (Getty Images)

Maybe Cristiano isn’t such a bad guy after all? The Real Madrid forward, forever the villain in the Ronaldo v Lionel Messi debate, has recorded a message to pay tribute to Steven Gerrard ahead of his final game for Liverpool.

Gerrard said farewell to Anfield last week in emotional scenes despite the shock 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, and he’ll don the red shirt of Liverpool for the final time on Sunday in the Premier League fixture at Stoke.

It will be Gerrard’s 710th and final game for his childhood club, before he packs his bags and flies out to begin a new career with MLS side LA Galaxy.

So it’s a rather nice touch that the current best player in the world has taken time out to send the former England skipper a message to praise his talents ahead of the match.

"Hello Steve, just to say it was a pleasure to play with you for many years when we play Manchester United v Liverpool," says Ronaldo. "You are a fantastic player, I wish you all the best for your career and for your life."

Watch the message from Ronaldo below:

Despite never playing on the same side, it seems Gerrard’s talents have left a lasting memory on Ronaldo.