Cristiano Ronaldo: Lionel Messi Is Great, But I Am The Most Complete

JAKARTA - Cristiano Ronaldo said he was the most complete player ever.

He respects fans who prefer Lionel Messi, Pele, or Diego Maradona, but argues that statistics supports his claims.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner, 39, has broken a number of records during his career.

Ronaldo is also the top scorer in the history of men's football with 923 goals, the latest addition occurred when Al Nassr won 4-0 over Al Wasl in the Asian Champions League Elita on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, early morning WIB.

"Who is the best goalscorer in history? It's about numbers. Point," Ronaldo told Spanish television show El Chiringuito in a lengthy interview on Monday.

"Who is the player in history who scored the most goals with a head, left foot, penalty, free kick?"

"I saw him a few days ago, and not because I was left-handed, I was included in the top 10 goalscorers with the left foot in history. With a head, right leg, and a penalty. Everything," Ronaldo said again.

Ronaldo has been constantly compared to Messi throughout his career as the two struggle to be recognized as the best players on the planet.

"I'm talking about numbers. I think I'm the most complete player ever."

"In my opinion, I think it's me. I did everything well in football, with a head, free kick, left foot. I'm fast, I'm strong."

"One thing is taste - if you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that."

"However, I am the most complete. I have never seen a better person than me. I said it from the heart," said Ronaldo.

At the age of 39, Ronaldo is still not thinking about retiring from an international club or football.

"I'm so competitive that sometimes I forget what I've accomplished. It gives me motivation to do more and be better every year."

"I think that's the difference with other people. Others in my position will leave football 10 years ago. I am different, period," said the Portuguese player.

Ronaldo was one of the first elite players to move to the Saudi Arabian Pro League when he left Manchester United and signed a contract with Al Nassr in 2023.

"People don't know, they give their opinion, they talk too much," he said, when asked about the quality of the Saudi Arabian Pro League.

"It's embarrassing because it's a different reality when people talk about Arabia and the United States."

"(Is Major League Soccer worse?) Obviously, but because it's Arabic, it's not respected."

"People don't know what they're talking about. With (the players) here, you have to respect them," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo discussed his departure from Real Madrid in 2018, saying the club was not being kind to him in contract negotiations.

However, he said that he would not rule out the possibility of returning to the Bernabeu one day when his career ended.

Despite that, he praised Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, saying the England midfielder reminded him of (Zinedine) Zidane.

"Zidane is brilliant, beautiful. Bellingham is 21 years old, he has his entire future ahead of him. That kid will be a top player," Ronaldo said.