Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has boldly declared himself the greatest player in the history of the sport.
Ronaldo ranked himself above long-time rival Lionel Messi, as well as legends Diego Maradona and Pelé.
The debate over football’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT) has raged for years, often centering on Ronaldo and Messi, who have collectively won 13 Ballon d’Or titles—five for Ronaldo and eight for Messi.
Both players have frequently been compared to Pelé, a three-time World Cup winner, and Maradona, who led Argentina to glory in the 1986 tournament.
However, in a recent interview with La Sexta, Ronaldo insisted that his overall abilities make him the most complete player in football history.
“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,” Ronaldo asserted in the now-viral interview.
While acknowledging that some may prefer other players, the five-time Champions League winner maintained that no one surpasses him in terms of completeness on the field.
“Taste is one thing, whether you prefer Messi, Pelé, 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.”
The former Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus star further emphasized his belief in his status as the greatest, stating:
“Even if I score 920, 925, or 930 goals, the best in history is me. Period.”
