Suspended from Portugal team, Cristiano Ronaldo claims he is the best in history

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the best player in football history. In an interview with CNN Portugal, he insisted that his goalscoring record and current form are not receiving the recognition they deserve.

In Short

• Cristiano Ronaldo has given an explosive interview to CNN Portugal
• Ronaldo says that his goalscoring record is not appreciated enough
• Ronaldo's comments come amid a fallout with coach Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the greatest footballer of all time, insisting that his goalscoring record is not receiving the recognition it deserves. The Portugal forward made the claim in an explosive interview with CNN Portugal, days after being provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation following his departure from the national team camp amid a reported dispute with manager Jorge Jesus.

Speaking in an interview teaser released by CNN Portugal, Ronaldo expressed frustration over how his performances and achievements are being perceived.

“People aren’t appreciating my moments or my goals, you know?" Ronaldo said.

"I’m 85 goals away, but I don’t think I actually like it. But I don’t like it. I don’t like it. Things have to happen naturally. Whether it’s 920 goals, 925, 930 I’m the best in history. Full stop. There’s no debate about who the best in history is. You just have to keep scoring goals. The numbers say it all," he added.

"I don’t think about the long term. I’m telling you, and I swear to you on my children’s lives, I live in the moment, in the present. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I might wake up feeling unmotivated and not want to play anymore. I just don’t know," he added.

His comments have reignited the debate over his place in football history, with Lionel Messi remaining his biggest rival in the GOAT conversation. Messi's 2022 World Cup triumph strengthened his claim, while Ronaldo continues to add to a career goals tally that has brought him within touching distance of 1,000.

The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has resurfaced amid contrasting developments in their international careers. While Messi received an emotional farewell from Argentina after bringing his international career to a close, Ronaldo’s relationship with Portugal has been overshadowed by controversy.

Ronaldo was provisionally suspended after leaving Portugal’s national team camp following a disagreement with new manager Jorge Jesus over his role in the squad. The forward had been an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway, prompting the Portuguese Football Federation to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

DO THE NUMBERS BACK RONALDO'S GOAT CLAIM?

Ronaldo's statistical record gives him a strong argument, particularly when it comes to goalscoring and longevity. His career numbers, however, tell only part of the story when compared with Messi.

• Career goals – Lionel Messi: 934 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 980
• International goals – Lionel Messi: 125 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 146
• Champions League goals – Lionel Messi: 129 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 140
• Ballon d'Ors – Lionel Messi: 8 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5
• World Cup titles – Lionel Messi: 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0
• Career assists – Lionel Messi: 426 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 261
• World Cup knockout goals – Lionel Messi: 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 1.

The numbers highlight the difference between their careers. Ronaldo leads in career and international goals, as well as Champions League scoring, while Messi has more Ballon d'Or awards, more assists and the World Cup title that eluded his rival.

His supporters point to his longevity, success across different leagues and record-breaking performances, while Messi's case rests on his World Cup triumph, individual honours and influence as both a scorer and creator.

Ultimately, the answer depends on how greatness is measured. Ronaldo, however, has made it clear that he does not believe the debate should be open to interpretation.

RONALDO'S LOVE FOR EXPLOSIVE INTERVIEWS

This is not the first time Cristiano Ronaldo has used a high-profile interview to air his grievances. In 2022, his conversation with Piers Morgan sent shockwaves through football, with the forward accusing Manchester United of betraying him, criticising manager Erik ten Hag and questioning the club’s direction. United terminated his contract by mutual agreement shortly afterwards.

The latest interview follows a familiar pattern, although the focus has shifted from his treatment at a club to his place in football history. On both occasions, Ronaldo has used a public platform to challenge a narrative he believes fails to give him the recognition he deserves.

His comments on Lionel Messi are hardly new, either. In a 2012 interview with CNN, Ronaldo backed himself as the better player at the time, while admitting that comparisons between the two were becoming tiresome. More than a decade later, the rivalry continues to shape the debate over the greatest footballer of all time.

- Ends