Lisbon: Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the greatest footballer in history, insisting that his goalscoring record and achievements have not received the recognition they deserve. The Portugal captain made the bold claim in an interview with CNN Portugal, reigniting the long-running debate over whether he or Lionel Messi deserves to be considered the greatest of all time.

In a teaser released ahead of the full interview, Ronaldo expressed frustration over the way his performances and career milestones are perceived, arguing that his numbers speak for themselves.

“People aren’t appreciating my moments or my goals, you know?” Ronaldo said.

Reflecting on his goalscoring record, the forward maintained that his standing in football history was beyond question, regardless of the final number of goals he scores before retiring.

“Whether it’s 920 goals, 925, 930, I’m the best in history. Full stop. There’s no debate about who the best in history is. You just have to keep scoring goals. The numbers say it all,” he said.

Ronaldo also acknowledged that he does not know how long he will continue playing, explaining that he prefers to focus on the present rather than make long-term plans.

“I live in the moment, in the present. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I might wake up feeling unmotivated and not want to play anymore. I just don’t know,” he added.

Ronaldo vs Messi: The numbers behind the debate

Ronaldo’s latest remarks have once again brought his rivalry with Messi into focus. The two footballers have dominated the sport for nearly two decades, collecting individual awards, breaking scoring records and winning major trophies with their clubs and national teams.

Ronaldo’s case rests heavily on his remarkable goalscoring consistency, longevity and success across several major European leagues. He has also established himself as one of the most prolific players in international football and the UEFA Champions League.

Messi, meanwhile, strengthened his claim to the greatest-of-all-time title by leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His eight Ballon d’Or awards and creative contributions to his teams are also central to his supporters’ argument.

The statistics cited in the report highlight their contrasting strengths:

  • Career goals: Messi 934, Ronaldo 980.
  • International goals: Messi 125, Ronaldo 146.
  • Champions League goals: Messi 129, Ronaldo 140.
  • Ballon d’Or awards: Messi eight, Ronaldo five.
  • World Cup titles: Messi one, Ronaldo none.
  • Career assists: Messi 426, Ronaldo 261.
  • World Cup knockout goals: Messi seven, Ronaldo one.

These figures reflect the different dimensions of their careers. Ronaldo leads in the listed career, international and Champions League goalscoring totals, while Messi holds the advantage in Ballon d’Or awards, assists and World Cup titles.

Supporters of Ronaldo often point to his ability to maintain an elite scoring rate over an extended career, his success in different leagues and his performances on the international stage. Messi’s supporters highlight his achievements with Argentina, his individual honours and his ability to combine goalscoring with playmaking.

Ultimately, the debate depends on how greatness is defined, whether through goals, trophies, individual awards, longevity or influence on the game. Ronaldo, however, has made his position unmistakably clear.

Portugal controversy adds to the spotlight

The interview has also drawn attention because of reported tensions surrounding Ronaldo’s involvement with the Portuguese national team.

According to the report, the forward was provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the national team camp amid a reported disagreement with new manager Jorge Jesus over his role in the squad.

Ronaldo had reportedly been an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, prompting the federation to initiate disciplinary proceedings. The circumstances surrounding the camp departure have added another layer to the scrutiny of the veteran forward’s international career.

The situation contrasts with developments in Messi’s international career, with Argentina having given its captain an emotional farewell following the conclusion of his international journey, as described in the source report.

Ronaldo’s future with Portugal and the outcome of the disciplinary process remain important questions as he continues to pursue further milestones.

Another headline-making Ronaldo interview

Ronaldo has previously used major interviews to speak openly about his frustrations with football institutions and the way he believes he has been treated.

In 2022, his interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan attracted widespread attention after he criticised Manchester United, questioned the club’s direction and spoke about his relationship with then-manager Erik ten Hag. Manchester United subsequently terminated his contract by mutual agreement.

The latest interview shifts the focus from club football to Ronaldo’s place in the sport’s history. Yet the underlying theme remains similar: the forward is challenging what he sees as a failure to recognise his achievements adequately.

His views on comparisons with Messi are also not new. Ronaldo discussed the rivalry in an interview with CNN in 2012, when he backed himself as the better player at that time while acknowledging that the constant comparisons could become tiresome.

More than a decade later, the debate remains one of football’s most enduring talking points.

Ronaldo remains focused on adding to his record

Despite the discussion surrounding his legacy, Ronaldo’s comments suggest that he remains motivated by the pursuit of further goals and records. He has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to extend his career at the highest level, making longevity one of the defining features of his achievements.

However, his declaration that he is the greatest ever is unlikely to end the debate. While his goalscoring records provide a compelling argument, Messi’s World Cup triumph and individual honours remain significant elements of the comparison.

For Ronaldo, the answer is already settled. His latest remarks make clear that he considers his achievements sufficient to establish his place at the top of football history, regardless of differing opinions among fans and observers.