Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo believes that playing alongside Mesut Ozil has improved him as a player.

Ozil joined Los Blancos in 2010 from Werder Bremen and has gone on to become a regular in Jose Mourinho's starting lineup, something that delights teammate Ronaldo.

"Yes, Mesut has made me better. If you have great players around you, your play becomes stronger," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by Kicker.

"Ozil is fantastic. He can read the game and knows when he needs to play the pass, when he should take a dribble - that's simply class.

"We have a really good connection and this is still getting better. I love to play with him, he is fantastic."

Ronaldo claimed a hat-trick as Madrid defeated Osasuna 7-1 yesterday afternoon.