Cristiano Ronaldo, the 39-year-old Portuguese forward, has reignited the long-standing debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time. Despite being frequently compared to his contemporary and fellow superstar, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo confidently declared himself as the best in football history. This bold assertion was made following his outstanding performance for Al-Nassr in a recent AFC Champions League match.
Ronaldo's declaration came after he scored twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Wasl on Monday. As the captain of the Saudi Pro League side, Ronaldo continues to demonstrate his prowess on the field, and he shows no signs of slowing down or contemplating retirement from club or international football.
He bases his claim of being the greatest footballer on statistics, pointing out that he holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in football history, with an astounding 923 goals. This achievement adds weight to his argument, and Ronaldo confidently stated that he has never seen anyone better than himself in the history of the sport.
“One thing is taste. If you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that, but saying Ronaldo isn’t complete … I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart.” – Ronaldo
Ronaldo's career speaks volumes about his achievements. He is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and has played for prestigious clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United. Moreover, Ronaldo's influence extends beyond the pitch. He topped Forbes's 2024 list of the best-paid athletes, with earnings off the pitch reaching $60 million. His massive fan base is reflected in his over a billion social media followers.
Despite acknowledging that many fans have a preference for Messi, Ronaldo remains unwavering in his belief in his own greatness.
“I’m the best player in football history. I haven’t seen anyone better than me in football history, and I’m saying truth from my heart” – Ronaldo
