The eternal debate about who is the greatest footballer of all time has once again made headlines. In a preview of the interview journalist Piers Morgan conducted with Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star was emphatic when speaking about his historic rival, Lionel Messi.
"Is Messi better than me? I don't agree with that opinion. I don't want to be humble," Ronaldo replied with his usual confidence, after Morgan directly asked him what he thought about those who place the Argentine above him.
Ronaldo no está de acuerdo con los que afirman que Messi es mejor
The Al Nassr forward, 40 years old, was also asked about the comments made by his former teammate Wayne Rooney, who some time ago claimed that Messi surpassed the Portuguese. Without losing his composure, Cristiano replied: "Those statements don't bother me at all," making it clear that comparisons do not affect him.
During the conversation, the Portuguese also took the opportunity to clarify rumors about his fortune, after international media labeled him as "the first billionaire athlete" today. "That's not true, I became a billionaire many years ago," he stated with a laugh.
The numbers behind the rivalry
Beyond the statements, the numbers speak for themselves and reflect the magnitude of a rivalry that has defined modern football. Cristiano Ronaldo has recently surpassed 950 official goals in his career (952), a figure that places him among the top scorers in history. With 5 Ballon d'Or awards to his name, his career includes 5 Champions League titles, 1 European Championship, 2 UEFA Nations League titles, 3 Premier League titles, and 2 LaLiga titles, in addition to local and international honors that cement his legend.
Ronaldo es el máximo goleador en actividad
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has accumulated 892 official goals and more than 400 assists, being not only a historic scorer but also one of the greatest playmakers in world football. The Argentine is the top winner of Ballon d'Or awards, with 8 distinctions, and holds an unprecedented collection of titles: 4 Champions League titles, 10 Spanish league titles, 1 World Cup (2022), 2 Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), and 3 Club World Cups, among other trophies that establish him as one of the most decorated players in history.
Messi compensa goles con títulos
Although the numbers seem to balance the scales, Cristiano's statements reignite a dispute that transcends generations. The question of who is the best in the world remains open, and everything suggests it will continue without a definitive answer.
