Romelu Lukaku is a better team player for Inter than his fellow Serie A stars, according to former Nerazzurri defender Riccardo Ferri.

The Belgian has scored 26 goals in all competitions for Antonio Conte’s side this season, adding to his tally on Saturday with the winning goal at Bologna.

Lukaku is renowned for his exceptionally selfless attitude both on the pitch and off, and Ferri believes he is a cut above in this respect.

“Cristiano Ronaldo can’t be called into question at Juventus – he ‘is’ football – but when you see him leaving the pitch looking angry and complaining it doesn’t benefit his teammates,” Ferri told Sport Mediaset during ‘Pressing’ last night.

“He has raised the bar in Serie A and in the Juventus dressing room, and he’s given the league greater interest.

“But if we compare him, Lukaku and Ibrahimovic in terms of how they move and help their team, Lukaku is first with Ibrahimovic in second.”

Inter are well on course to win the club’s first league title since 2010 after their victory at Bologna extended their lead over second-placed AC Milan to eight points.

Conte’s men have the chance to increase the gap even further when they host Sassuolo for their rearranged matchday 27 fixture tomorrow.

“Conte is comfortable in the knowledge that his team is following the right path, even when things get tough,” Ferri argued.

“This is his biggest strength.

“There was a chasm between Juventus and Inter two years ago, but now Juventus have regressed in terms of quality while Inter have made giant strides.

“The Nerazzurri are confident in their ability and have a sense of belonging which they’d been lacking for years.”

Juventus slid 12 points adrift of their arch rivals over the Easter weekend after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Torino in the Derby della Mole.