Cristiano Ronaldo recently discussed a variety of topics, including how he stays motivated at this stage of his career, his desire to return to Real Madrid in the future, and more.
Ronaldo has always prided himself on staying one step ahead, even if it means facing criticism. However, he remains unwavering in his beliefs, even at the twilight of his career. The Portuguese star stated, “People can choose to admire anyone they wish, be it Lionel Messi, Pele, or Maradona, but when it comes to statistics, I am the best.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has broken numerous records, and as of two days before his 40th birthday, he achieved another remarkable milestone. In a 4-0 victory for his current club, Al Nassr, against UAE’s Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League, Ronaldo netted two goals, bringing his total career goals to 923. This victory marked his 700th win in club football.
In an interview with Chiriguito TV, Ronaldo was asked about the ongoing debate of who is the greatest among contemporary footballers. As expected, he pointed to statistics to support his argument. “Who is the all-time top scorer? It’s a numbers game. End of story.”
Ronaldo added, “Which player in history has scored the most goals with headers, with the left foot, from penalties, or free kicks? I was looking at this the other day and even though I’m not a left-footed player, I’m among the top ten left-foot scorers in history. At the same time, I’m also the best in headers, right foot, and penalties.”
For over 15 years, Ronaldo and Messi have dominated world football, and the debate over who is the best often features one alongside the other. In this case, Ronaldo reiterated his belief in the importance of statistics.
“I’m talking about numbers. I believe I am the most complete player right now. In my opinion, that’s me. I do everything well in football—headshots, free kicks, left foot. I’m quick, and I’m strong.”
When asked about fan preferences for Messi, Pele, or Maradona, Ronaldo respected those choices but firmly stated, “You can like Messi, Pele, or Maradona, and I respect that, but I am the most complete player. I haven’t seen anyone better than me, and I truly believe that.”
Unlike many players who retire well before reaching his age, Ronaldo is still running at full speed, excelling both for his club and national team. He is well on his way to achieving his dream of scoring 1,000 career goals. In the new year alone, he has already scored seven goals, with 15 goals in his last 11 matches.
Ronaldo doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. He shared his secret to staying motivated, saying, “I have a very competitive mentality. I’m so driven that sometimes I forget about my achievements. It’s this mentality that pushes me to do more and get better every year. I believe this is where I differ from others. Most players at my age would have retired a decade ago, but I’m different. End of story.”
Having started his career at Sporting, Ronaldo later rose to prominence at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus before joining Al Nassr in 2023.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding Saudi football, Ronaldo has made his stance clear, stating, “People speak without understanding. They talk too much.”
Ronaldo’s most successful years were spent at Real Madrid, where he won 15 trophies, including four Champions League titles, and scored a record 450 goals. Reflecting on his departure from the Santiago Bernabeu in 2018, Ronaldo expressed that he wasn’t treated well during contract discussions.
However, he also left the door open for a potential return to Real Madrid in the future, although only after his playing career ends.
