Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed he is “the most complete player to have existed,” saying the “numbers” show he deserves to be considered football’s GOAT ahead of Lionel Messi, Pele or Diego Maradona.
Ronaldo and Messi’s personal rivalry has dominated the sport for more than two decades, with both possessing legions of fans ready to argue their case as the sport’s greatest player.
But Al Nassr striker Ronaldo, 39, was happy to put forward his case on his own in an interview with El Chiringuito on Monday.
“Who’s the best goalscorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop,” he said (via ESPN).
“Who’s the player in history who’s scored the most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks?
“I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I’m in the top 10 goalscorers with their left foot in history. And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them.”
He added: “I’m talking about numbers. I think I’m the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it’s me.
“I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I’m fast, I’m strong.
“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 has one of the most sparkling football CVs ever assembled, winning domestic and continental titles for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr as well as winning the European Championship with Portugal.
His haul of five Ballon d’Or trophies is second only to Messi with eight, but both players have since departed top-flight European football, with the Argentine great now at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and Ronaldo plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.
Asked about the quality of the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo had a strong response.
“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.”