Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed he is the best and most complete player in football history, even ahead of his arch-rival Lionel Messi.
The United and football icon turned 40 on Wednesday – another milestone in an extremely successful career that has seen him win titles, personal awards, break records and score goals at a ridiculous rate for United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr and Portugal.
Ronaldo re-signed for United in 2021, putting pen to paper on a two-year contract with the option to extend for a further year.
He returned to Old Trafford 12 years after his first spell under mentor Sir Alex Ferguson. Between 2003 and 2009, he scored an impressive 118 goals in 292 games for United.
Ronaldo famously impressed the United players so much in a pre-season clash that they urged Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him. His debut for the Red Devils came as a second-half substitute against Bolton. United won 4-0, with a young Ronaldo catching the eye.
The legendary George Best later described Ronaldo’s debut as “undoubtedly the most exciting performance” he had ever seen.
Best went on to add that it was the first time he regarded comparisons to a player as a compliment.
Ronaldo helped United win three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups before departing for Madrid.
Happy birthday, @Cristiano 🇵🇹#MUFC pic.twitter.com/DFbVePcoJ2
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2025
At the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo enjoyed a stunning nine-year tenure, scoring 450 goals and registering 131 assists in 438 appearances in all competitions. He also added four Ballon d’Or accolades to the one he won at United.
A transfer to Juventus followed, where he scored 101 goals and registered 22 assists in 134 appearances. He won another five trophies with the Old Lady, including two Serie A titles.
Despite the acrimonious nature of his exit in 2022 after falling out with Erik ten Hag and the club, Ronaldo still managed an impressive return during his second spell, finding the back of the net 27 times in 54 appearances.
He is now at Al Nassr, where he is showing no signs of slowing down. He currently has a staggering record of 923 goals in 1,261 matches, but it’s believed he has one more big personal milestone to reach before hanging up his boots – 1000 career goals.
During a recent interview with Spanish television, Ronaldo said [via Al Jazeera], “I’m the best player in football history. I haven’t seen anyone better than me in football history, and I’m saying truth from my heart.”
“I’m talking about numbers. 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.”
“One thing is taste. If you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that, but saying Ronaldo isn’t complete … I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart.”
“Who’s the player in history who’s scored the 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.”
In his interview, Ronaldo also appeared to aim a dig at Ten Hag. Reflecting on the managers he has played for, Ronaldo revealed there have been some “really bad” ones.
“I learned from everyone. I had some really bad coaches. Some of them don’t have a f***ing clue about football at all.”
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
