“I’m the best player in history, in the good moments and the bad ones” : Cristiano Ronaldo

[Abdullah719]

“I’m the best player in history, in the good moments and the bad ones” : Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has branded himself the greatest player in the history of the game.

He picked up his fifth Ballon d’Or on Thursday, equalling the record of his great rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo was the runaway winner of the gong, picking up the prize for the second year in succession.

“I’m the best player in history, in the good moments and the bad ones,” he told France Football, the magazine that organises the award.

“I respect everyone’s preferences, but I’ve never seen anyone better than me. I have always thought that. No footballer can do the things I can. There’s no player more complete than me. I play well with both feet, I’m quick, powerful, good with the head, I score goals, I make assists. There are guys who prefer Neymar or Messi. But I tell you: there’s no-one more complete than me.

“No-one has won as many individual trophies as me. And I’m not speaking just of the Ballon d’Or. That says something, doesn’t it? It’s not just a result of the work I do in the gym, like some people think. It’s the sum of many things. Legends like Floyd Mayweather and LeBron James don’t get to their perfect level by chance. Many factors coincide. To be at the top and to stay there, you have to have more talent than the others.”

Ronaldo admitted that at one stage of his career he was “demotivated” and did not even want to go to the ceremonies when Messi was getting the better of him on an annual basis.

“I won the Ballon d’Or before Messi, then he overtook me and won four in a row,” he said. “I’m not going to hide from you that I was sad and angry. I went to the award ceremonies and I never won. At one point, I was even demotivated. I had no desire to go. To be there for the photo didn’t interest me.

“Then, little by little, thanks to those close to me, I told myself that in life there is a beginning and an end. And in football what counts is the finish, not the start. I was patient. And I won four other Ballons d’Or.”

He says success on the big stage allowed him to win this award, but admitted that claiming the award again next season will be a tricky task.

“I knew that if I won the Champions League I would have taken a step closer to a fifth Ballon d’Or. We won and I was the top scorer in the competition again. And what’s more, I scored twice in the final. That was the key,” he said.

“I don’t know if I can win a sixth next year. There are so many competitions to play in the next year with Real, then the World Cup with Portugal.

“That World Cup will be crucial in the running of the Ballon d’Or. Imagine Real win the Champions league again and I’m the top scorer but have a mediocre World Cup. Or the other way around.

“Winning the league won’t be enough, the stakes are higher.”

Ronaldo will next be in action on Saturday, when Madrid tackle Sevilla in La Liga, with the Portuguese aiming to add to the two goals he has scored so far in the competition this term.

He has fared rather better in Europe, however, becoming the first player to score in all six group stage matches as Zinedine Zidane’s men qualified as runners-up to Tottenham in Group H.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/ballon-...est-player-history/1rbi0zbr02su11owmyuj1zz66i

 

[waqar goraya]

What about the likes of Pele, Maradona and Messi?

I believe his competition is with the likes of Zidane, Baggio and Van Basten.

 

[Yossarian]

What about the likes of Pele, Maradona and Messi?

I believe his competition is with the likes of Zidane, Baggio and Van Basten.

Some would even say that 'fat' Ronaldo was better than CR if you compare both at their peaks.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Uggghh

So cringeworthy the way he said it.

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[CricketCartoons]

Pathetic. Winners should show some humility so that losers don't get offended.

 

[PetroDollars]

Some would even say that 'fat' Ronaldo was better than CR if you compare both at their peaks.

The problem with that is that the peak of R9 was sooo short as was with Ronaldinho.

CR7 would have 10 Ballons had it not been for Messi. R9 was a great but he didnt achieve much at club level as CR7 has.

 

[IAJ]

Lol is this a serious interview or a fake one? Seemed like a boxer speaking.

He is a complete player and I like some of the work he does off-field. It is difficult to compare football players but there is no doubt it is more entertaining to watch guys like Messi and Ronaldinho. And if you go further behind not many came close to skills Maradona and Magico Gonzalez posessed. And then you have Pele of course.

Messi and Maradona are the biggest to me, and if Messi had won or wins a WC he will definatley go pass Maradona.

 

[Pakistanian]

Ronaldo is better than Messi. The highest pinnacle in a sportsmans career is winning a big title with your country and Ronaldo did that by winning Euro 2016. Messi is a failure for his country.

 

[Allblacks2019]

Ronaldo is better than Messi. The highest pinnacle in a sportsmans career is winning a big title with your country and Ronaldo did that by winning Euro 2016. Messi is a failure for his country.

LOL.

International Soccer: Monopoly game

Club soccer in Europe : Wall street

 

[James]

Will never be better than Maradona.

 

[Suleiman]

Has earned the right to say what he wants. Not everybody champion player has to be a timid shy guy who is down to earth and humble and plays for stats.

 

[kingusama92]

Seems kind of cheap to say it like that.

Especially when it's debatable whether he's even the best of his generation.

 

[R0H1T]

The problem with that is that the peak of R9 was sooo short as was with Ronaldinho.

CR7 would have 10 Ballons had it not been for Messi. R9 was a great but he didnt achieve much at club level as CR7 has.

That's not true, while technically Ronaldo (the original one) was in decline after 1998 he was still by far the best striker in football for close to a decade. Got to 3 WC finals IIRC, won 2 & nearly won it France as well if it weren't for his illness. C Ronaldo is good but I guess this line sums him up perfectly “I’m the best player in history, in the good moments and the bad ones”

 

[Mamoon]

Not even the best of his era. He will never be better than Messi, who is the greatest individual attacker the game has ever seen.

Lol at Ronaldo calling himself the most 'complete player' - he is a bog average playmaker.

Ronaldo - legendary goal-scorer, very good in a lot of other aspects and nothing special when it comes to playmaking.

Messi - legendary in everything that an attacker is supposed to do. Goal scoring, dribbling, playmaking, dead balls etc. Football has never seen such a fusion of ST, CF, WF, and CAM before, and probably never will.

As far as Neymar is concerned, I think he is a more talented and versatile than Ronaldo - probably the closest thing to Messi we have seen in the last decade, but it will be very hard for him to match Ronaldo's achievements, whose drive and commitment is insane. 5 Ballon d'Ors in the same era as Messi is nothing but a miracle.

Ronaldo is not the best player of his era, but he is by far the greatest role-model and inspiration.

 

[James]

If you have to tell everyone (and tell yourself) that you are the best, then by definition you’re probably not the best.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I like the confidence. Whether you like it or not, this attitude takes you far. So-called inspirational people sugarcoat the same thing, the moral of the story is the same; always hold yourself as the best because no one can push you down.

 

[pillionrider]

Cristiano got annoyed once with Xavi when he actually was stating a fact, sympathetically in fact. Which was that it was unfortunate for Ronaldo that he was playing in the time of Messi.

Just because Messi is better doesn't mean we need to diminish Ronaldo, his achievements, his phenomenal skills (which are second only to Messi) and his ambition.

For me, a simple cricketing analogy works:

Ronaldo is Kohli
Messi is Tendulkar

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Insecure statement from CR7 sounds like Mayweather or the wannabe-boxer-white-Irish-guy here

He's watched too many Mohammad Ali videos.

Isco is better than him.

 

[James]

Everyone knows that after pride, comes a fall.

 

[Watsupdoc]

Well ain’t he humble...

 

[super hitter]

comparing yourself to one who has like 3 times more assists than him and is a team man

 

[Indiafan]

I like the confidence. Whether you like it or not, this attitude takes you far. So-called inspirational people sugarcoat the same thing, the moral of the story is the same; always hold yourself as the best because no one can push you down.

Any man who needs to say he is the best, is not best. If you are the best others will say it

 

[CricFan2012]

Look at that arrogance, but I’ve always preferred Messi.

 

[finalfantasy7]

You do know he will be told to say this, by his p.r company.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

You do know he will be told to say this, by his p.r company.

If so, then that PR company sucks.

Nah..this is the work of a tool.

Hope Messi smashes and obliterates him. Hehe.

 

[kingusama92]

It also doesn't look good to say this when you're having your worst La Liga season too.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Sort of hypocritical. When Muhammad Ali says he's the greatest, the world sings his praises. When a very talented footballer who has a very strong claim to the title says the same, we go bananas.

 

[cr7great]

Q: "Cristiano, What do you think, who is the best player in the world?"
A: "I think, in my head, I am the best player in the world. It may not be true, but I have to think that way."

- Late 2015 -

The world raised their collective eyebrows. Here was a man in the wrong side of his 30's just refusing to admit his time was over. They laughed at his word, at how incredulous, how incredibly self-reflecting they were. Doesn't he realize what's happening? Doesn't he look at the game? Lionel Messi is hitting his prime, Barcelona is going to solidify their treble, while Cristiano is living in his Castle made of air. Proclaiming his superiority while bullying minnows and frustrating the team on big occasions.

- Early 2016 -

Real Madrid is in Shambles, Ronaldo is falling apart. People have already started writing his eulogy, trying to grab the early bite on his retirement predictions. The mood around him goes from anger to mocking to worst of them all, pity. He should step down at his prime, they wrote. Better to leave as the player he had been, than the player he was becoming. Madrid should sell him, they wrote, get the millions back while they still could. There was a talent at Chelsea called Hazard, he is dictating the game like CR7 never will. There's a lad at Juventus, Pogba, whose game looks like a hot knife through butter, Cristiano should make way. Time for Bale to dethrone him, Cristiano should not kick or scream, He should understand when to pass the Baton. He is as bad as the Madrid Coach, get them both out, make Real great again. Don't look at the papers. Dont follow the news, stay away from your instagram account. Who's the best player in the world, Cristiano?

In comes Zidane.

- 2016 end season -

What is happening at Madrid? The world looks questioningly. Are they really in the UCL Finals again? Surely they can't be. What with their mediocre plays and fragile mindsets, intra-team clashes? Cristiano doing any good? Nah, he is still finished. His pace is gone. He was a physical player anyway. He is fighting, sadly, but its too little too late. Madrid win the UCL. Season saver? Maybe. CR7 ? No show. Becoming more petty day after day. The gall of the man, taking off his shirt after scoring the winning penalty. Can he not be humble? What did he do exactly to justify his elation? The world looked on with screwed eyebrows and puffed cheeks. Cristiano celebrates, nothing on his mind. You will take your victories as they come and figure the rest out later. Who's the best player in the world, Cristiano?

- EURO 2016 -

Portugal are playing like ****. Cristiano is not showing up as Usual. They have drawn the first two matches. Ronaldo is trying but what can he do when his body is betraying him? His feet don't move no more, his shots refuse to kiss the net, prefering to go into the stands. Hungary will be the last we see of this Woeful performer.

Portugal 3-3 Hungary ( CR 2G 1A )

Hah, one time. Croatia will take them out. No? Poland will see to them? What? Wales is there, surely they cannot..... Finals? How? How are they doing this? How is CR7 still functioning ? Wasn't he supposed to give up long ago? OK, let's see what he does at the finals, can he redeem himself? Give his nation a trophy?

NO.

CR7 out, minute 24. Portugal do it without him. The world sighs watching him. People raise their voices behind his back. Riding on his team's success, they say. Doesn't deserve to hold the trophies. They forget so quickly what he did while repeating what he didn't do. But Cristiano endures. 1 trophy down, the new season is coming. Plugs to your ears, and boots to the ground. You have to get back on the playing field. Who's the best player in the world, Cristiano?

- 2016-17 Early Season -

Zidane has started on a roll. Madrid is finally shaping up to look like good things are coming this season. Cristiano is doing alright. He is back from injury, but the effort is showing. League games go by without goals, but people are looking now, he's changing his game. Assisting, creating plays. They utter careful praise. "Cristiano playing to his limits, turning team player when goals dry up. " Nobody is convinced. They don't expect this. Is this his game? How long will it be good enough? With Cristiano not scoring at will, Bale injured and Benzema on a striker's leave, Real Madrid are scrapping. 2 goals in UCL group matches. Horrendous result, unthinkable from Cristiano. Goals are surely not his forte now. Derby at the Calderon, Hattrick. Club WC, Hattrick in the finals. Shake of the head. The Ballon D'Or ceremony arrives, The UCL and EURO sees him get the trophy. The world is muttering, saying things that Cristiano knows all too well. Back to the field, Cristiano. Who's the best player in the world?

- 2017 -

It's February. Cristiano's game has gone up a notch. He running more easily than before, winning dribbles, scoring goals at last, though not as before. His game is improving. Zidane is cautious, Ronaldo is determined. This time there won't be a mistake, He knows his limits. Play for the long game, Granadas will come and go, UCL Knockouts begin in March. Bayern in the Quarters. Real dropped points in the Clasico. Barcelona taking up steam. Will this season be another faltering step? Who will carry real to the line? Cristiano? He's hasnt shown up yet. He is playing good, but not "Cristiano Ronaldo" good. The world watches. Madrid's season is on a knife-edge.

Real 6 - 3 Bayern
Cristiano Ronaldo 5G

The world is sitting up. That is something else. Cristiano is moving like it's 2013 and scoring like it's 2012. What is the catch. Zidane's rest? His training? Madrid's attack? Atletico in the semis. Last Lap is on.

Real 4-2 Atletico
Cristiano Ronaldo 3G

People are shaking their heads, this time in disbelief. Where does he bring this from? this time last year, he was finished. Running like a shot deer, playing like he was 50 years old. They had written about his last season. About him going while he was hot. What happened to him? How is he doing this? La Liga Title Race is on.

Real Madrid 3-3 Las Palmas. Back from the brink. CR7 2G
Real Madrid 4-1 Sevilla. CR7 2G
Real Madrid 4-1 Celta. CR7 2G
Real Madrid 2-0 Malaga. CR7 1G

La Liga is Ours. The season is almost complete. Finally we are the champions. Cristiano does a thundering last lap scoring 7 goals in his last 4 games. Clutch Master, they say. Carried Real on his back. Wonderful finishing run to the season from Cristiano. Sensational stuff. Never doubted him. Striking the ball like no other. But the UCL Final is coming. CR7 went invisible in the last 2. This time it's against a team which has an iron defense with a superman in Goal. Madrid will falter they say. Messi and all his men coudn't scratch Buffon in 180 minutes. They give odds for Juve to win. Madrid are wary, they know all too well, the occasion. The world is waiting with drawn breath, to see the other shoe fall. Dont focus on them, Cristiano. Cardiff is calling. Who's the best player in the world? UCL Final on 4th June.

Real Madrid 4-1 Juventus, CR7 2G.

The world has gone mad. There are videos, graphs, charts trying to capture his insanity. 10 goals in UCL knockouts. Impossible. First player to score in 3 UCL Finals. Astounding. 105 UCL Goals. Unbelievable. Back to Back UCL Champion. Mind Numbing. They say he's returned. They are writing articles again about how he'll play till 40. The journalists are still fighting, trying to get the early bite on his rejuvenation predictions. The world focused a camera on his face and he shouted in the middle of an UCL Final "One Chance...BANG."
He celebrates his infamous celebration, Journalists can't get enough pictures. All smiles, Madrid retain the Champions League, Ronaldo with the Masterclass.

Q: "Who's the Best player in the world, Cristiano?"

A: It's all in your head.

#OneCR7

 

[kingusama92]

Sort of hypocritical. When Muhammad Ali says he's the greatest, the world sings his praises. When a very talented footballer who has a very strong claim to the title says the same, we go bananas.

Boxing is all about marketing/hype so it's common to hear boxers boasting about themselves.

 

[finalfantasy7]

It sounds like a pr comment imo.

He his in love with himself - but I don't think he said this or it means slightly different in Portuguese

 

[Dead Ball]

Nope at the very least, Maradona and Messi are better.

Although Ronaldo would be in the top 10 for sure, maybe even top 5.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looking for Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu. . . .<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElClasico?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElClasico</a> <a href="https://t.co/3XgeLYqUZD">pic.twitter.com/3XgeLYqUZD</a></p>— Unibet (@unibet) <a href="https://twitter.com/unibet/status/944562102886334464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[pillionrider]

Was trying too hard to be the goalscorer today. Messi lay low and played the team game as usual.

Anyway, both are legends. Just that, Messi is better.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And the award for the most underwhelming no look kick of the day goes to... <a href="https://t.co/qG2yL2DuVh">pic.twitter.com/qG2yL2DuVh</a></p>— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) <a href="https://twitter.com/BeardedGenius/status/967465712343310336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Best no-look pass.

 

[PakLFC]

He is one of the best for sure. Didn't see Pele, Maradona was a class apart as well. Zinadine Zidane was another genius. If Ronaldo can win the world cup with Portugal then he's become a serious candidate.

 

[Abdul]

No, you're not. Messi is.

Imagine Tendulkar saying something like this about himself.

 

[Pakistanian]

No, you're not. Messi is.

Imagine Tendulkar saying something like this about himself.

Ronaldo is a leader, led his team to win Euro 2016, what did messi ever lead his nation to?

 

[big_gamer007]

That’s his personality he wants to strive to be the best and he believes he can be the best that is the reason he is what he is.. If he was humble and mellow like you people are suggesting he would be half the footballer he is today.. Not everyone has to be modest, ronaldo can say whatever he wants to say about his football skills he has earned the right.

 

[English August]

When you call yourselves the best player in the history, you probably aren't. Why not wait for others to call you that?