Ronaldo and Messi, with a combined 13 Ballon d’Ors, are often regarded as the best players in the sport’s history. ..Continue Reading
However, in a recent interview, Ronaldo confidently stated that no one has ever matched his level, claiming he is “the most complete player who has ever existed” and “the best player ever.”
The former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus star has consistently viewed himself as in a league of his own, asserting in a 2015 BBC interview that he is “always the best” in his mind.
In contrast, Benzema disagrees with Ronaldo’s self-assessment and has his own opinion on who is the greatest. The Frenchman and Ronaldo became teammates at Real Madrid in 2009, forming an effective partnership.
Benzema often played a supportive role, allowing Ronaldo to shine, but after Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus, Benzema stepped up his game, scoring 44 goals in the 2021/22 season and earning his first Ballon d’Or.
Interestingly, it is another Ronaldo—Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário—whom Benzema considers the greatest player ever.
“I think everyone can say what they want,” Benzema, who followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps in moving to the Saudi Pro League, told TNT Sports.
“If he thinks he is the best in history, then he is. It depends, for me, for example, the best is Ronaldo from Brazil.”
R9, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, is evidently a hero to Benzema, who excluded both Ronaldo and Messi from his dream XI, choosing to place himself alongside the Brazilian legend.
When Jose Mourinho was asked about the greatest player he had ever witnessed, he recognized the extraordinary accomplishments of Ronaldo and Messi but promptly highlighted the former Inter, Barcelona, and AC Milan striker.
Mourinho asserted that, in terms of sheer talent, “nobody surpasses” Ronaldo Nazario, adding that the Brazilian would have garnered even more accolades had he not been plagued by injuries.
“Ronaldo, El Fenomeno,” he told Live Score.
“Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have had longer careers, they have remained at the top every day for 15 years.
“However, if we are talking strictly about talent and skill, nobody surpasses Ronaldo. When he was at Barcelona with Bobby Robson, I realised that he was the best player I’d ever seen take to the field.
“Injuries killed a career that could have been even more incredible, but the talent that that 19-year-old boy had was something incredible.”
