Houllier says simplified Ronaldo is world class

By Mitch Phillips

VIENNA (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo has developed into a world class talent by simplifying his game, UEFA technical delegate Gerard Houllier said on Sunday.

The Portugal winger, still only 23, got off to an encouraging start in his third major tournament on Saturday, helping his team beat Turkey 2-0 and going close to scoring when he struck a post with a free kick.

He topped a remarkable season for Manchester United by scoring in their Champions League final win over Chelsea -- his 42nd club goal of a season that earned him double player of the year awards for a second consecutive season.

Yet he arrived for Euro 2008 with some critics claiming he had yet to prove himself on the big stage.

Houllier, however, who will analyse the tournament as part of UEFA's technical team, was full of admiration.

"In 2004 he was a very young player, now he has acquired experience through the Champions League and Premier League," the former France manager told a news conference on Sunday.

"He looked sometimes as if he was overdoing it but it looks now as if he has simplified his game.

"The most difficult thing in football is to keep things simple and it seems that with maturity he's learned to do that and has become more and more effective for his team.