Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself “the most complete player to have existed,” stating that while he respects fans who prefer Lionel Messi, Pelé, or Diego Maradona, statistics support his claim.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 39, holds numerous records and is the highest-scoring player in men’s football history with 923 goals. His latest goals came in a brace during Al Nassr’s 4-0 AFC Champions League victory over Al Wasl on Monday.
“Who’s the best goalscorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop,” Ronaldo told Spanish television show El Chiringuito in an extensive interview on Monday.
“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 goalscorers with their left foot in history. And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them.”
Ronaldo has often been compared to Messi throughout his career, with both players competing for the title of the greatest of all time.
“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.
“One thing is taste—if you like Messi, Pelé, 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.”
Despite turning 39, Ronaldo remains highly competitive and has no immediate plans to retire from club or international football.
“I’m so competitive that sometimes I forget what I’ve achieved,” he said. “Because it gives me motivation to do more and do better every year … I think that’s the difference with others. Somebody else in my position would have left football 10 years ago. I’m different, full stop.”
Ronaldo was among the first top players to move to the Saudi Pro League, leaving Manchester United to join Al Nassr in 2023.
“People don’t know, they give their opinion, they talk too much,” he said when asked about the league’s quality.
“It’s a shame, because it’s a different reality when people talk about Arabia and the USA. [Is Major League Soccer worse?] Obviously, but as it’s Arabia, it’s disrespected … People don’t know what they’re talking about. With those [players] who are here, you have to respect it.”
He also reflected on his departure from Real Madrid in 2018, saying the club “didn’t behave well with him” during contract negotiations, but he remains open to returning to the Bernabéu after his career.
