Cristiano Ronaldo not the football GOAT according to Javier Mascherano, who has 'own thoughts' amid Lionel Messi debate
Published 05/02/2025 at 13:02 GMT
Cristiano Ronaldo came out with a bold claim on his footballing achievements after declaring himself as the best player of all time. It's a debate which will continue to rumble on for many years, with Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona highlighted in the same breath as the Portugal captain. Ronaldo is still plundering goals at the ripe old age of 40 with Saudi side Al Nassr.
Ronaldo birthday: Every goal Portugal forward scored for Real Madrid in the Champions League
Video credit: TNT Sports
Javier Mascherano has disputed Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims that he is "the most complete player to have existed".
Ronaldo made the bold assessment in an interview with El Chiringuito on Monday, and explained that the "numbers" move him above the likes of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Pele.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated football's GOAT debate in the last 15 years, particularly during their respective trophy-laden spells at Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, it should come as no surprise that Mascherano - formerly of Barcelona and Argentina - does not concur with the Portugal captain.
The 40-year-old is currently the Inter Miami manager, and has ex-team-mate Messi in his squad.
He told the media: "I have a lot of respect for Cristiano [Ronaldo] and I do not have to analyse his opinions.
"It is what he thinks. But I have my own thoughts [on the best player ever] and it is not that."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/02/03/4093934-83016333-2560-1440.jpg)
Ronaldo birthday: Relive the best UEFA Champions League overhead kicks
Video credit: TNT Sports
The debate favouring Ronaldo concerns the success he amassed across Europe, winning domestic and continental honours with Manchester United and Real Madrid, along with further titles at Sporting Lisbon, Juventus and Al Nassr.
Meanwhile, Messi may have only tasted success in Spain and the United States, but crucially, has one World Cup winner’s medal to his name - an honour which Ronaldo could miss out on at the end of an otherwise glittering career.
Messi also has the most Golden Balls after amassing eight during his career - three more than Ronaldo’s haul of five.
Looking further back, Maradona and Pele both achieved World Cup success - the latter winning the competition three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/02/03/4093932-83016293-2560-1440.jpg)
Ronaldo birthday: ‘How about that?’ – Relive his top 10 UEFA Champions League goals
Video credit: TNT Sports
Assessing his own individual qualities, Ronaldo said: "Who's the best goalscorer in history? It's about numbers. Full stop.
"Who's the player in history who's scored the 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."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/02/03/4093933-83016313-2560-1440.jpg)
Ronaldo birthday: ‘One of the greatest’ – Portugal star scores 700th club goal of career
Video credit: TNT Sports
Speaking about the "numbers" in detail, he added: "I'm talking about numbers. I think I'm the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it's me.
- The biggest moves you may have missed during the transfer window
- Arteta 'disappointed' by transfer window but praises Arsenal 'discipline'
"I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, 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 - 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."
Stream the 2024-25 Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement