Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazário has said he does not consider Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest footballer of all time, although he believes the Portuguese forward ranks among the top ten players in history. Speaking to ESPN, the two-time World Cup winner offered his perspective on one of football’s most enduring debates.
“Cristiano is unbelievable,” Ronaldo said. “He has scored from every position and in every way. That is not easy. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest in history. But the greatest ever? I do not agree. I would put him in the top ten.”
Ronaldo, who won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, said he preferred not to engage in comparisons involving himself. “I do not like to take part in these discussions,” he said. “Some people are very self-assured about their place in history. I prefer others to talk about my performances, not me.”
His comments followed a recent interview Cristiano Ronaldo gave to Piers Morgan, in which the Portugal captain reflected on his career and legacy. The 39-year-old insisted that his achievements do not depend on winning the World Cup.
“Even if I do not win a World Cup, my career will not be any less successful,” Cristiano said. “People say Cristiano must win the World Cup. No. I have already brought three trophies to Portugal when we had none before. I am happy, that is enough.”
The 2026 World Cup, to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final major international tournament, giving him one last chance to add to his extraordinary record on the global stage.
