Cristiano Ronaldo put himself ahead of eternal rival Lionel Messi, 1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona, and Brazil legend Pele to declare himself GOAT.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has confidently declared himself the greatest footballer of all time, placing himself above his long-time rival Lionel Messi, Argentina’s Diego Maradona, and Brazil’s legendary Pelé.
The debate over who will be regarded as the Greatest of all Time (GOAT) in football has been raging over the years, pitting mostly Ronaldo and Messi. The two have dominated the sport, sharing 13 Ballon d’Or awards—five for Ronaldo and a record-breaking eight for Messi.
Before now, the comparisons extended beyond the duo, with Pelé—who won three World Cups—and Maradona, the mastermind behind Argentina’s 1986 triumph, also in the conversation.
Ronaldo, with five Ballon d’Ors, numerous titles, and countless records to his name, has now proclaimed himself as the “most complete player that ever existed,” thus snubbing Messi, a winner of eight Golden Balls and icons in Pele and Maradona.
In a recent interview with La Sexta, the Al-Nassr forward stated that, in his view, no other player matches his all-around ability.
“I think I’m the most complete player there has ever been. That’s my opinion. It could be a question of taste but I think it’s me. I do everything in football. I head well, I take set pieces well, I shoot well with my left foot, I’m fast, I’m strong, I jump,” he said in the now-viral interview.
“Taste is one thing, saying this, that or that, whether you prefer Messi, Pele, or Maradona, I hear it and I respect it but to say that Cristiano isn’t complete is a lie. I’m the most complete. I don’t see anyone better than me and I tell you that with all my heart.”
When further pressed if he considers himself the best in history, he outlined his goal-scoring prowess.
” There are some things that don’t make sense. What does a goalscorer mean? It’s someone who puts the ball in the goal,” the Al-Nassr star added. ” I think I’m the most complete player that has ever existed . I do everything in football. I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I have a left foot, a right foot, I’m strong, I go out…”
When questioned about the quality of the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo responded emphatically. “People don’t know, they give their opinion, they talk too much,” he said.
“It’s a shame, because it’s a different reality when people talk about Arabia and the USA.
“[Is Major League Soccer worse?] Obviously, but as it’s Arabia, it’s disrespected …people don’t know what they’re talking about. With those [players] who are here, you have to respect it.”
Ronaldo turns 40 on Wednesday, but he has no plans to retire as he continues to score regularly, with 23 goals in 25 games in all competitions this season for his club.
“I’m so competitive that sometimes I forget what I’ve achieved,” said Ronaldo.
“It gives me motivation to do more and do better every year … I think that’s the difference with others. Somebody else in my position would have left football 10 years ago. I’m different, full stop.”
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