Gennaro Gattuso says Nuno Tavares has the level to play for Real Madrid

Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso has described Nuno Tavares as a player capable of spending 10 or 12 years at Real Madrid, praising the Portugal international’s pace and ability with both feet.

Gattuso made the comments before Lazio’s Serie A meeting with Milan, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Tavares started the match at left-back and played the full 90 minutes.

The Italian manager’s remarks were reported by Spanish newspaper AS, which quoted him as saying: “I have always said that Nuno Tavares is a player at Real Madrid level.”

Gattuso then used an unusual comparison to underline his view of the defender’s potential.

“I told my assistant: if Tavares’ parents had left him 100 million euros, he would have spent it all within five years,” he said.

The Lazio manager added: “He should have been at Real Madrid. He has everything – speed, a right foot and a left foot. That is unusual.”

Gattuso also suggested that Tavares needed time to recover after matches and said the player would benefit from greater guidance away from the pitch.

“He needs some time to recover after the game, but he is a good boy,” Gattuso said. “You have to get into his head and make him understand things.”

The manager insisted Tavares was already aware of his ability, but believed he needed to appreciate what his talent could enable him to achieve.

“Tavares knows that he has the talent,” said Gattuso. “He could have spent 10 or 12 years at Real Madrid because of his ability. All you have to do is make him understand that.”

The comments placed the Portuguese full-back in the spotlight before Lazio’s match with Milan, while also highlighting the expectations Gattuso has for the player.

A post circulating the remarks carried the same reference to Tavares’ potential at Real Madrid and repeated Gattuso’s account of the 100 million euros that he said the defender would have spent over five years.