Cristiano Ronaldo approaches his 40th birthday with the same confidence and self-esteem as he has always boasted throughout his successful career. The former Real Madrid star, who now plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, is set to celebrate this milestone on Wednesday, February 4, 2025, and he remains adamant about his status as the greatest football player ever.
During his recent appearance on Spanish television channel La Sexta, Ronaldo declared, "I am the greatest scorer in history. Although I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 in history for goals scored with the left foot. These are numbers, I am the most complete player who has ever existed. I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump... I have never seen anyone bebetter than me." This assertion is backed by an impressive collection of records, including being the holder of the most appearances (217) and the most goals (135) in men's international football.
Ronaldo's prolific career has seen him excel at every club he’s played for, with the exceptional scoring record underpinning his belief of being the best. His scoring ability has been pivotal for clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and most recently Al Nassr. Recently, he scored two goals during a 4-0 victory over Al Wasl, bringing his total goal tally to 923. Ronaldo stated, "If I finish on 920, 925 goals… it doesn't matter to me at all. I'm the best in history. Period. If I reach 1,000 goals, great. If not, that's fine too. Numbers don’t lie."
The debate over who is the true greatest player—Ronaldo or Lionel Messi—continues to generate considerable discussion. While Ronaldo has consistently praised Messi's talent, he also makes it clear where he stands. The rivalry between the two players has been one of the biggest talking points for the last two decades. Their contrasting styles and achievements leave room for endless comparison, but according to Ronaldo, he remains the superior player. He said, "I understand and respect [the preferences for other players like Pele, Messi, and Maradona], but to say I am not complete is simply not the truth."
Skeptics of Ronaldo's claims often highlight Messi's achievements, particularly Messi's recent FIFA World Cup victory with Argentina, compared to Portugal's inability to reach beyond the quarterfinal stage. Messi's career, adorned with eight Ballon d'Ors—compared to Ronaldo's five—also factors heavily when fans and analysts analyze who truly deserves the title of the greatest.
Recent comments from figures within the soccer community reflect this enduring discussion. Javier Mascherano, former Messi teammate and current Inter Miami coach, recently expressed his respect for Ronaldo, stating, "I have a lot of respect for Cristiano, and I don't have to analyze his opinions. It’s what he thinks. I have my own thoughts, and it isn’t..." This comment serves as both respectful acknowledgment of Ronaldo’s achievements and tacit recognition of the divided opinions surrounding football's biggest icons.
Regardless of the opinions of his rivals and the media, Ronaldo's self-belief and confidence are unwavering as he nears 40. He remains as ambitious as ever, asserting, "I feel I will go out as the best ever in the history of football." His incredible accomplishments and records speak volumes, but as the debate of who's the greatest continues, one fact remains: Ronaldo has left an indelible mark on football history.
Each milestone he reaches only adds fuel to the discussion. The day he steps onto the field for his next match, it will be another opportunity to build on his legacy, regardless of how fans choose to define greatness. Love him or hate him, Cristiano Ronaldo's career has defined modern football, and as he turns 40, he shows no signs of slowing down—as he aims for yet more records and glory.