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Ronaldo Nazario disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo naming himself the best player of all time earlier this year. He claimed that the Portuguese legend is in his Top 10 list of best players of all time, but not in the Top 5.
In an interview in February this year, Cristiano Ronaldo hailed himself as the most complete player of all time. Ronaldo Nazario shared his thoughts on these comments, disagreeing with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. He said (h/t Relevo):
“Well, I don’t like to get into these things, but people have a lot of self-esteem… I prefer that people talk like that about my performance, about what I was… and not that I have to talk about myself.
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“(Ronaldo) has a fantastic story, doesn’t he? He conquered wonderful things, he scored goals in all ways, including a change of position because he has played as a winger and as a striker. That’s not easy. He’s among the best in history, but I don’t know about the best… No, I don’t agree. I respect his opinion, but for me he is among the best. I would say among the top 10."
The former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker also labeled five players better than Ronaldo in his opinion, saying:
“Pelé is number one, followed by Messi and Maradona tied together, then Zico, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Van Basten, Zidane, Figo and Rivaldo.”
Ronaldo Nazario, meanwhile, never faced Cristiano Ronaldo in his career, but faced Lionel Messi once in an El Clasico, losing 3-0.
When Cristiano Ronaldo hailed himself the most complete player in the world
In an interview with El Chiringuito (h/t ESPN), the Portugal captain hailed himself as the most complete player in the world. He said that Lionel Messi is great, but added that based on numbers and all-round ability, he is the most complete.
Ronaldo said:
“Who’s the best goal scorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop. Who’s the player in history who’s scored 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 goal scorers 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, Pelé, 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.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top goalscorer in men's football with 952 goals for club and country. The 40-year-old is still going strong as he looks to breach the 1000-goal mark.
