Cristiano Ronaldo found no inclusion in the list of eight football players deemed superior by the Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
The Al Nassr forward boasts an illustrious career with five Champions League medals, league triumphs in Spain, Italy, and England, numerous goal-scoring records, and five Ballon d’Or victories, firmly placing him in discussions about the sport’s greatest players.
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The Brazilian Ronaldo, in comparing Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, went so far as to describe them as being from a ‘different planet.’
Yet, the Brazil icon appears to hold exceptionally high standards. Having secured two Ballon d’Ors himself and notching 352 goals in 518 games, the 47-year-old faced the weight of expectation for the Selecao, reaching the World Cup final in 1998 and clinching victory in 2002.
Despite career-altering knee injuries, Ronaldo’s 2002 achievements, including a World Cup golden boot, Ballon d’Or, and FIFA World Player of the Year, showcased his exceptional talent.
Unfortunately, extended periods of inactivity due to injuries have left fans contemplating the unrealized potential.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo remains steadfast in his belief that he rightfully belongs among the game’s all-time greats. In a 2022 interview with the Guardian, he disclosed his selection, which included two more Brazilian players.
“I think there is a very, very special group,” he said. “Where you have Diego (Maradona), (Lionel) Messi, (Johan) Cruyff, (Franz) Beckenbauer, Pele, (Marco) Van Basten, Ronaldinho. I would include myself. Let the fans say, let them debate it in the bars. But you can’t rank them, can’t compare generations.
“People call me Original Ronaldo but there were others – and they weren’t false. I’m not the only one and more will come along and be better than me, in everything.
“I did what I could, the best I could. I’m doing other things now, important things, and I want to keep improving myself. As a footballer I can’t do any more now.”
Retiring in 2011, Ronaldo made a comeback to the dynamic world of football in 2018, not as a player but as an owner.
Initially, there were discussions about a potential involvement with QPR, but the Brazilian legend opted to acquire a controlling stake in Real Valladolid in 2018. Later, he replicated the same move with his childhood club Cruzeiro in 2021.
Although becoming an owner entails substantial investment and responsibility, it proved far more appealing to Ronaldo than the prospect of taking on a managerial role. Management held zero interest for him.
He explained: “I dribbled round being a manager: I bought the teams instead. But I don’t interfere, eh! Managing never attracted me, no, no: zero, zero, zero. I love football but the idea of being a coach kills me, always killed me.
“A player does what he has to, goes home, that’s it. A coach has 25 guys, all wanting to (mess with) you. Unthinkable. Never. But I admire them, their love for football . I love football but couldn’t put up with that ; they were born for it.””
