Cristiano Ronaldo once named the best player he ever saw live – and his answer may come as a surprise.
Ronaldo, 39, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game. His five Ballon d’Or crowns are a testament to his trophy-laden career and relentless pursuit of excellence.
In his 1035 club games, he has scored 778 goals and 241 assists – making him Real Madrid’s record goalkeeper with 450 strikes in 438 games, scoring a goal every 84 minutes while wearing Los Blancos’ famous white. Has happened.
From a collective perspective, Ronaldo has been instrumental in achieving success at most of the clubs he has played for.
The Portuguese has won league titles in Italy with Juventus, in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with Manchester United as well as success with Portugal when they lifted the European Championship in Paris, France in 2016.
Given his achievements, many people consider Ronaldo to be the GOAT (the greatest of all time). But who has impressed the 39-year-old when he’s been in attendance at a game?
Well, while speaking back in 2022, journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan revealed that Ronaldo had told him during a private conversation that Lionel Messi was the greatest player he had ever seen in the flesh.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo boasted an iconic rivalry (Credit: Getty)
Morgan said, “I had a very interesting conversation with Cristiano, we had dinner after I first interviewed him three years ago, it was a really great conversation and I really like him as a person. Like,” Morgan said. talksport,
“He was incredibly respectful about Messi and I said to him, ‘The best player you’ve ever seen?’
“He said, ‘Messi, but you’re asking the wrong question, you’re not asking me who is the best player…'”, because, of course, he has never seen himself play live.
“So, that made me laugh.
“But then he talked about the pair of them and the difference between them and a lot of other greats, like R9 Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, George Best, Paul Gascoigne, he said the difference is the longevity that he and Messi have had. Is.
“Messi and Ronaldo had 18 or 19 years at the top of their game, and it is testament to their extraordinary dedication, their remarkable physical fitness and their rivalry, which without question pushes the other to ever greater heights.
“I think it’s one of the great rivalries of any sport, so we’re very fortunate to have them.”
Ronaldo – currently at Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr – appears to have no plans to topple his already sublime goalscoring tally at the moment with 13 goals in 15 league games this term.