Cristiano Ronaldo boldly claims, “I’m the most complete player to have existed,” a statement that reflects his confidence in his extensive skill set. For nearly two decades, he and Lionel Messi have been at the forefront of the soccer GOAT debate, amassing a staggering 1,773 goals, nine Champions League titles, and 13 Ballon d’Or awards between them.
In Ronaldo’s eyes, the discussion is settled.
“I’m talking about numbers,” he asserted during an interview on the Spanish television show “El Chiringuito.” He elaborated, “I consider myself the most complete player. I excel in all areas of football: headers, free kicks, and shots with both feet. My speed and strength are unmatched.”
Ronaldo acknowledges personal preferences in the sport, stating, “If you prefer Messi, Pelé, or Maradona, I respect that. However, to claim that Ronaldo isn’t complete is misguided. I have not encountered anyone better than myself, and I speak from the heart.”
When discussing goal-scoring prowess, Ronaldo’s statistics offer a compelling narrative. “Who’s the best goalscorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop,” he emphasized. “Who else has scored the most goals using their head, left foot, penalties, and free kicks?
He pointed out his remarkable achievement of being among the top ten left-footed goalscorers in history, despite being predominantly right-footed. “I excel with my head, right foot, and penalties too. I cover all bases.”
Despite his impressive accolades, the elusive FIFA World Cup title remains absent from Ronaldo’s collection. Historically, he had the upper hand over Messi in international competitions, but since 2018, Messi has secured the World Cup and lifted the Copa América trophy twice.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo has a chance to pursue the World Cup one last time in 2026. At 40 years old, his current scoring rate in the Saudi Pro League suggests he could still contribute significantly to the Portuguese national team during the tournament.
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