Footballer who Cristiano Ronaldo claimed was 'only player better than him' eyeing shock new career as an adult film star

Cristiano Ronaldo's high praise is often reserved for those at the very top of professional football.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Luis Figo are all high-profile names who in the past have earned praise from the talented 39-year-old for their talents.

But one player who you may have not heard of is former Sporting Lisbon winger, Fabio Paim.

Back in 2003, CR7 so was so convinced Paim was heading for the very top of the game he issued a bold statement of his own.

"If you think I'm good, just wait until you see Fabio Paim," said Ronaldo back in 2003. We have since been waiting all this time...

Yet 16 years later, after a torrid playing career in the game, Paim was put in prison for a year on drug trafficking charges, where he was filmed in tears after watching footage of Ronaldo train with his Portugal teammates.

Having featured alongside Ronaldo as a teenager, The Sun have since reported the now 36-year-old is eyeing a career in the adult film industry.

Paim was interviewed on Tiago Paiva's YouTube channel recently as women in bikinis surrounded the former Portuguese footballer.

"I would like to act in a porn film," Paim revealed.

"I'm serious, it would make my dreams come true. I don't have a girlfriend, I'm single."

Paim has since tried to contact Cristiano by jokingly admitting he should be given one of the his five Ballon d'Or trophies.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his career on Thursday. [Getty]

Paim's career in the game will always be a cautionary tale to footballers coming through having failed to live up to his strong early reputation for a number of reasons.

"I was really special. I must be humble but this is the truth," he told SunSport.

"Unfortunately back then there was not Instagram or Facebook, nothing was recorded like nowadays but I strongly and honestly believe that until today there was no other like me with the same quality I had.

"Cristiano, for all his effort and hard work, went to a level he deserves.

"But when I was playing, if I had the same effort and commitment, I would be better than him.

"If I speak about technique, I was better. I was a small Ronaldinho. But as we can see, it's not the technique that leads us to wherever.

"But yes at that time I was better than Cristiano. I believe he should give me one of his Ballon d'Ors!"