“I Respect Your Love for Messi, Pele, and Maradona, but I Truly Believe I’m the GOAT”
While it’s not typical for athletes to proclaim themselves as the best in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo breaks the mold.
This legendary Portuguese player, who has enjoyed remarkable stints at Manchester United and Real Madrid, now represents Al-Nasr at the age of 39. He confidently asserts that he excels in every aspect of football and believes that no one has ever achieved a level of completeness that rivals his.
“I consider myself the best footballer of all time, and I truly believe it,” Ronaldo shared with Spanish outlet “El Chiringuito,” followed by a statement that was equally assertive:
“Who holds the record for the most goals in history? It’s all about the numbers, plain and simple.”
“I’ve netted 923 goals, but whether I reach 930 or 950 in my career doesn’t really concern me… Hitting the 1,000-goal mark would be fantastic. And if I don’t achieve that, that’s fine too, because figures tell the truth.”
He also addressed comparisons with other football greats.
“People have different preferences, and if you prefer Lionel Messi, Pelé, or Diego Maradona, I acknowledge and respect that. However, to claim that Ronaldo is not the complete package… I believe I am the most complete, and I haven’t encountered anyone better than myself, and I say this sincerely,” Ronaldo elaborated.
Discussing what makes him the most well-rounded player in football history, he said:
“Which player has scored the most goals with headers, their left foot, through penalties, and free kicks? I checked recently—despite not being left-footed, I’m among the top 10 scorers with that foot in history. Plus, I have a wealth of goals scored with my head, right foot, and through penalties…”
He also reflected on his rivalry with Lionel Messi, which defined an era.
“I maintain a good relationship with Leo; I even helped translate some things for him from English during an awards ceremony—it was quite enjoyable and humorous. We had a healthy competition and got along well throughout,” Ronaldo concluded.
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