Mesut Ozil admits Cristiano Ronaldo knows how many assists came from him, but says the Real Madrid forward helped him become a better player. Ronaldo signed a new contract at the Bernabeu on Monday, keeping him with Real Madrid until he is 36. The Portugal captain is Reals all-time leading scorer with more than 370 goals and has won eight trophies during his seven years at the club.Ozil, who left Real for Arsenal in 2013, contributed many assists to Ronaldos goal haul during the Germany internationals three-year stint in Spain, but the Gunners midfielder insists it is he who owes the forward for their time together. Cristiano Ronaldo, I never saw one guy like him, Ozil told Arsenals YouTube channel.He is the first guy in the dressing room and the last guy to go home. He wants to fight even in a training game. Cristiano Ronaldo tells the story of the time he dazzled Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson while playing for Sporting Lisbon in 2003 He made me better on the pitch. Of course, I give my assists, a lot, to him and he knows. But I really enjoyed playing with him because he does not need a lot of chances.So even if I give him two assists, he will score two. Amazing player. One of the greatest players in history. Ozil also said he could not help but apologise to Chelsea defender David Luiz following Germanys 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup. Ozil apologised to David Luiz for Germanys 7-1 win over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup Luiz, who rejoined Chelsea this summer, was a Paris Saint-Germain player when the semi-final defeat took place, and Ozil revealed his personal message to the defender following the final whistle. Of course, all the players on the pitch were a little bit surprised, said Ozil. But after 20 minutes, 4-0 you cant realise what has happened. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. If you lose a big game like that in your country and you see the fans crying, the players crying, you feel it with them. So I went to David Luiz and really apologised.Ozil told Luiz: You have a nice country with nice people, and with what weve learned here, weve had a really good time.Watch #CR7Live on Wednesday at 1pm on SkySports.com, Sky Sports Facebook page and on the Soccer AM You Tube Channel. Also See: When Ronaldo caught Fergie’s eye Bellerin will sign Arsenal deal Ronaldo unlikely to retire at Real Ronaldo: Im far from finished Carlos Martinez . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Marcell Ozuna . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-daniel-ponce-de-leon-jersey-large-991q.html . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Bruce Sutter . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Dakota Hudson . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. MINSK, Belarus -- The acting head of Europes top Olympic body said Friday that its president, Patrick Hickey, should be allowed to leave Brazil and return to Ireland because his health is deteriorating and he needs an urgent heart operation.Hickey is not permitted to leave Brazil, where he was arrested two months ago during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on ticket scalping charges and awaits a possible trial. Selling tickets at above face value is illegal in Brazil, and authorities promised before the Olympics to enforce the law.Hickey, who has denied wrongdoing, has temporarily stepped down from all his Olympic positions pending a resolution of his case. He was president of the European Olympic Committees, head of Irelands national Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committees powerful executive board.I am in contact with him personally, acting EOC president Janez Kocijancic told The Associated Press in Minsk. Hes 71. Hes not in the best health. I think that the first step should be that he returns home for the heart surgery and the treatment.In further procedures, I hope that he will have the possibility to prove his innocence, Kocijancic added.The IOC said it was not contributing toward Hickeys defense, but also asked for his release on health grounds.It goes without saying that the I?C fully respects the laws and all judicial procedures prevailing in Brazil, the IOC said in a statement to the AP. But the health of Mr. Hickey is giving the IOC great concern, and has seriously deteriorated over the past weeks. Mr. Hickey requires immediate special treatment in relation to his condition.Needless to say that the IOC cannot elaborate on medical details. However, the IOC understands that it would be preferable that the needed treatment is administered in Ireland, the IOC added.In Rio de Janeiro, prosecutor Marcos Kac told AP that a trial date still had not been set and offered few details.As soon as the trial starts, we can give more information, he said.The law firm defending Hickey -- Kamenetz and Marcolini -- said in an email that we do not comment about ongoing casses.ddddddddddddThe Irish Independent newspaper published a photo of Hickey arriving at a court in Rio on Thursday, registering as part of the condition of his bail. The newspaper said he did not speak as he entered the judicial proceedings.In a previous statement, Hickey told the newspaper: I intend to face all the charges and to fight each and every one of them.This has been a life-changing experience for me, my wife, my four children and my five grandchildren and my priority is to recover my health and see my family as soon as possible, he said.Kocijancic, the acting EOC president, said he believes Hickey is innocent of the charges.We studied all the relevant material and from all that we know, he is innocent, he didnt commit any crime, Kocijancic said.I dont know if hes guilty or not but I think its wrong, the things that have been done to him, his rights as a citizen, Danish Olympic Committee general secretary Morten Moelholm Hansen said.Even Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko weighed in to defend Hickey.There is no proof of any offense, he said, calling the accusations made up.Hickey is among 10 people facing charges of ticket scalping, conspiracy and ambush marketing related to the Olympics. He was arrested on Aug. 17 during the Rio Games in a dawn raid on his Rio hotel room.Hickeys passport has been confiscated, and he must remain in Brazil until the case is concluded.Police have said that Hickey plotted with businessmen to transfer tickets illegally from a sports company called Pro 10 to hospitality provider THG Sports, which was a non-authorized vendor and allegedly sold them for very high fees. Police investigators said the scheme was planned to bring in $3 million.The head of THG Sports, Kevin James Mallon, was arrested on Aug. 5 in the case, but was set free, like Hickey. He faces the same charges and must remain in Brazil.---AP Sports Writer Stephen Wade and Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report. ' ' '