Elkeson says Ronaldo is inspiration for goal spree

Rio de Janeiro, April 22 (IANS) Brazilian forward Elkeson says Cristiano Ronaldo has provided the inspiration for his rich goalscoring form for Chinese football club Guangzhou Evergrande.

The former Botafogo player has scored 10 goals in five games since joining the Chinese club in January, reports Xinhua.

Despite looking up to former Brazil great Ronaldo Nazario, the 23-year-old's playing style is modelled on current Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Brazilians all have an attachment to Ronaldo (Nazario) and he is my idol," Elkeson told Brazilian media. "My target though is to develop in the same way as Cristiano Ronaldo, even though the gap between us is obviously still very big."

Elkeson is impressed with the standard of football in China and says he is relishing the freedom of playing in an attack-minded team.

"I'm thankful to my teammates, especially Lucas Barrios, Dario Conca, Muriqui and Gao Lin. It's those guys who allow me to get close to goal and give me time to shoot," he said.

"In China, we have a lot of freedom to create and there is less emphasis on defence. Attacking movements are even more decisive than in Brazil."