 "Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring a goal for Al-Nassr in their AFC Champions League match against Al-Wasi on Monday. Reuters")
Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he is the “most complete player” to have existed in world football. Ronaldo said that while has all the respect for Lionel Messi, Pele and even Diego Maradona, the success of a player is all about the numbers.
Ronaldo is the highest men’s goal-scorer in the history of football, having scored his 923rd goal in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al-Wasi in the AFC Champions League on Monday. “Who’s the best goal-scorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop,” Ronaldo told El Chiringuito, a Spanish television show.
‘Who’s scored most goals with their head, left foot…’, asks Ronaldo
“Who’s the player in history who’s scored most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks? I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I’m in the top 10 goalscorers with their left foot in history. And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them,” he said.
Ronaldo has been compared with Argentina great Lionel Messi ever since both of them began their professional football careers more than two decades ago. While Messi ended his wait to win a FIFA World Cup in 2022 , Ronaldo is yet to get his hands on the trophy.
However, the 39-year-old insisted once again that it was about the numbers. “I’m talking about numbers,” he said. “I think I’m the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it’s me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I’m fast, I’m strong,” he added. “One thing is taste – if you like Messi, Pelé, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that – but saying Ronaldo isn’t complete… I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart,” he further commented.
Cristiano Ronaldo not considering retirement from football yet
At 39, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player might be running out of time but he is still not considering retirement from club or international football. “I’m so competitive that sometimes I forget what I’ve achieved,” he said. “Because it gives me motivation to do more and do better every year … I think that’s the difference with others. Somebody else in my position would have left football 10 years ago. I’m different, full stop,” stated the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
This season, Ronaldo has scored 23 goals and assisted four times in 25 matches for Al-Nassr. Wih 15 goals, he is currently the highest goal-scorer in Saudi Pro League, two goals more than former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, who plays for Al-Ittihad.