Noel Whelan feels that Leeds United's Luke Ayling showed a touch of the Ronaldinho in his play by performing a trick to get past Derby County star Fikayo Tomori in Saturday's clash between the two sides.
Leeds were dominant in the first leg of the Championship playoff semi-final tie at Pride Park and take a 1-0 advantage into the second leg at Elland Road thanks to a Kemar Roofe strike in the second half.
Former Leeds star Whelan was pleased with full-back Ayling's performance against Derby and an incident in the opening 45 minutes caught his eye.
Ayling got past Tomori, on loan at Derby from Premier League giants Chelsea, with silky skills and Whelan says it reminded him of Ronaldinho.
"He turned into Ronaldinho for a second, didn't he?" Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds after the game.
"Little nutmeg, played the ball to one side of Tomori, round the other side, lovely cross into the box as well.
"It's nice to see players enjoying themselves and being brave enough to try those things in the final third.
"It's the right place in the pitch to try a little nutmeg, do something a little bit different and try to create a chance.
"Once again I thought he was excellent, loads of energy and looks like he's getting back to his best at the right time", the former Leeds attacker added.
Ayling had come in for criticism for his form earlier this season, but the right-back will be looking to now kick on and help Leeds win promotion to the Premier League.
The Whites are in action on Wednesday night against Derby, as they look to wrap up progression to Wembley.
