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Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo once sparked a debate around the globe after he claimed he was the best player the game has ever seen.
During an interview in 2017, Ronaldo listed three reasons why he considers himself the greatest-ever player in the history of the round leather game.
The GOAT debate is one that has refused to go away, especially the endless comparisons fans of Ronaldo and Messi continue to have on who the greatest player is.
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14:16 - 12.05.2023
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has had a stellar career so far and remains the only player who won the revered award playing for an English side.
Cristiano Ronaldo spent six years with Manchester United before moving to the Bernabeu in 2009 where he became club legend and record goalscorer, netting 451 goals in 438 competitive appearances.
After nine years in Spain, Ronaldo later joined Turin giant Juventus where he spent four years, scoring 101 times in 134 appearances.
The Portuguese attacker returned to Manchester United for a second spell but after a fallout within the club, he move to Saudi Arabia where he currently play for Al Nassr.
Pulse Sports highlights the three reasons why Ronaldo claimed he was the greatest football player ever.
1. There’s nothing I can’t do
Cristiano Ronaldo believes no player is better than him because there is nothing any player does that he cannot also do himself.
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18:40 - 24.05.2023
Cristiano Ronaldo gives thanks to Allah after scoring crucial goal for Al Nassr
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Furthermore, he added that there are abilities that he has that other players do not possess because he can see what they cannot see.
2. The most complete player
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The current captain of Al Nassr also claimed that he is the most complete football player in the game’s history.
CR7, as he is fondly called, can shoot with both his left and right legs; he is also good in the air, scoring headed goals.
Not only that, Ronaldo is very deadly when it comes to setpieces, as he has made a trademark of scoring spectacular freekicks and penalties.
3. The best player in history
Ronaldo argued that despite the game of football having many great players like Pele, Maradona, Messi, and the Brazilian Ronaldo, he is better than all of them.
He said in both good times and bad moments, he has managed to keep his head above the water and continue to deliver the goods.
The 38-year-old showed glimpses of this during his second spell with the Red Devils. Despite enduring a torrid time, he scored 19 times in 40 games for the Old Trafford club.
He told France Football Magazine in 2017,
“I don’t see anyone better than me. No player does things that I cannot do myself, but I see things others can’t do. There’s no more complete player than me. I’m the best player in history — in the good and the bad moments.”
Joey Barton Responds
Former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Joey Barton quickly responded to Ronaldo’s claims on social media.
Barton put out a poll and asked his fans and followers if the claims by Cristiano Ronaldo were true.
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18:33 - 11.04.2023
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi headline the Top 10 greatest goal machines of all time
In football history, many players have excelled in the art of scoring goals, sealing their names amongst the best of the best in the sport.
The outcome of the poll showed that Messi is considered the greatest footballer, with 50.5% of the over 74,000 respondents giving the nod to the Argentine.
Ronaldo, however, finished in second place in the poll Barton conducted, with 33.2% of the votes.
Final Thoughts
It is over six years since Cristiano Ronaldo granted that interview with France Football magazine, and a lot seems to have changed.
Lionel Messi has gone on to win the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, a trophy that had eluded him for many years.
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He has also switched from boyhood club Barcelona to free-spending PSG, linking up with former Catalonia teammate Neymar Junior.
With both Messi and Ronaldo in the twilight of their careers, some fans will argue that Messi winning the World Cup has successfully ended the GOAT debate.
Ronaldo has not enjoyed such success with his Portugal team, but some of his fans will forever believe he is the best player the game has seen.
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