Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned he’s “essentially the most full participant to have existed,” saying he respects followers preferring Lionel Messi, Pelé or Diego Maradona, however arguing that statistics again up his declare.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 39, has damaged a number of data throughout his profession and is the very best males’s purpose scorer in soccer historical past with 923 objectives, the newest coming in a brace in Al Nassr‘s 4-0 AFC Champions League win over Al Wasl on Monday.
“Who’s the most effective purpose scorer in historical past? It is about numbers. Full cease,” Ronaldo told Spanish television show El Chiringuito in an in depth interview on Monday.
“Who’s the participant in historical past who’s scored most objectives with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks? I used to be trying the opposite day, and never being left-footed, I am within the prime 10 purpose scorers with their left foot in historical past. And with my head, and with my proper foot, and penalties. All of them.”
Ronaldo has confronted fixed comparisons with Messi all through his profession, as each battled to be recognised as the most effective participant on the planet.
“I am speaking about numbers,” Ronaldo mentioned. “I believe I am essentially the most full participant to have existed. In my view, I believe it is me. I do every little thing nicely in soccer: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I am quick, I am robust.
“One factor is style — in the event you like Messi, Pelé, Maradona, I perceive that and I respect that — however saying Ronaldo is not full… I am essentially the most full. I have not seen anyone higher than me, and I say it from the center.”
At 39, Ronaldo nonetheless is not considering retirement from membership or worldwide soccer.
“I am so aggressive that typically I overlook what I’ve achieved,” he mentioned, “As a result of it provides me motivation to do extra and do higher yearly … I believe that is the distinction with others. Someone else in my place would have left soccer 10 years in the past. I am totally different, full cease.”
Ronaldo was one of many first elite gamers to maneuver to the Saudi Pro League when he left Manchester United and signed for Al Nassr in 2023.
“Individuals do not know, they offer their opinion, they speak an excessive amount of,” he mentioned, when requested in regards to the high quality of the Saudi league.
“It is a disgrace, as a result of it is a totally different actuality when individuals speak about Arabia and the USA. [Is Major League Soccer worse?] Clearly, however because it’s Arabia, it is disrespected … Individuals do not know what they’re speaking about. With these [players] who’re right here, it’s important to respect it.”
Ronaldo mentioned his departure from Real Madrid in 2018, saying the membership “did not behave nicely with him” in contract negotiations, however mentioned he would not rule out a return to the Bernabéu at some point when his profession ends.
He praised Madrid star Jude Bellingham, saying the England midfielder “jogs my memory of [Zinedine] Zidane.”
“Zidane was sensible, stunning,” Ronaldo mentioned. “Bellingham is 21, he has his complete future forward of him. The lad might be a prime participant.”
