There’s little disputing that Cristiano Ronaldo is the most successful football player to have ever played the game, and it’s something we’re repeatedly told, most notably by the man himself.
Celebrating his 40th birthday on Wednesday, Ronaldo is the highest men’s goalscorer with a staggering 923 goals.
His main rival for the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) tag Lionel Messi has 850 strikes to his name.
Brazilian legend Pele, who was for decades regarded as the GOAT, is someway behind with 762 goals.
Speaking to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito on Monday ahead of his birthday, Ronaldo said: "Who's the player in history who's scored 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 goal scorers with their left foot in history. And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them."
"I'm talking about numbers," Ronaldo said. "I think I'm the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it's me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I'm fast, I'm strong.”
None of that is incorrect, and he is still, despite his age, one of the fittest players on the planet. His physical regimen and training routine have kept him in incredible shape, which has allowed him to keep performing at the highest level, as he currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr.
If you’re talking about who has scored the most, or any of the criteria that make a footballer successful - Ronaldo normally comes out on top.
Humility counts
But here’s the thing, the only thing that exceeds his talent is his ego. Of course the media will always want to know, and ask Ronaldo if he thinks he is the best. He is also entitled to say whatever he believes. When you’re talking about the greatest to have ever played the game though, humility counts a lot in my opinion.
Even in his prime, Ronaldo always came off as a petulant teenager. Who can forget how he gave an exclusive interview with Pier Morgan when he was being forced out of Manchester United after his second spell at the club in 2022 didn't go according to plan?
Watch almost any interview with Ronaldo and his unabashed arrogance always shines through. Then when you’re done with that, take a look through his Facebook page and you’ll see more shirtless pics than a top male model which he regularly posts to his over 170 million followers.
So happy birthday Ronaldo, maybe when you’re older you’ll learn how to be a bit more humble as you grow wiser and become a more likeable human being. That’s not likely though.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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