Cristiano Ronaldo, similar to the likes of LeBron James, is one of the most criticised athletes in the history of world sport.
People love a narrative, a hero and a villain. In the NBA it was LeBron and Steph Curry. In football it’s Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo is an international superstar by way of his footballing genius. He is the most followed individual on Instagram, boasting an incredible 188 million followers. He dates international supermodels and is not afraid to tell you who the world’s best is.
These aspects of his lifestyle, in the eyes of many, can negatively overshadow his footballing. They are factors that have affected his already GOAT-worthy trophy cabinet, as many vie to reject the worlds best as football’s poster boy.
Ronaldo took the footballing world by storm when he debuted for Manchester United at the tender age of 18. This performance was brilliant, and when rewatching it today it’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
As soon as Ronaldo graced the pitch he demonstrated a unique flair that had only been seen in glimpses in his brief time at boyhood club Sporting Lisbon. From taking on defenders with vigour, winning United a penalty and delivering a number of incredible crosses, the Manchester faithful began chanting the name of the man who would orchestrate a new era of success for the club.
After winning everything there was to win in his time at United, Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in 2009. He got off to a hot start in Spain’s capital, and at the club he won the Ballon d’Or four times, four Champions League trophies and scored an astonishing 451 goals in 438 games, a 1.03 goal-per-game average.
Since he left Real Madrid the club have struggled to come by goals, not being able to score in 23.94 per cent of their matches – a staggering drop from 8.86per cent when he was with the club.
Ronaldo has now become the first player to win Europe’s top three leagues after Juventus’s Serie A triumph last term. He has as many UCL trophies as Barcelona, steered an unimpressive Portugal squad to the country’s first-ever major trophy at Euro 2016, is tied with Lionel Messi for a record five Ballon d’Or wins and has now scored north of 700 goals for club and country.
To add to this, I encourage anyone reading to check out my Roar article ‘The Ballon D’Or is losing its shine‘ to get a little insight in support of Ronaldo’s claim to the prize last year.
Ronaldo has revolutionised the modern game, running straight at defenders while employing a legendary skill set to leave them lifeless. He is fast and strong and has the ability to score with both feet, plus he’s one of the deadliest aerial goal threats of all time.
If you can see past the subjectivity of Ronaldo’s celebrity lifestyle and kick the good guy-bad guy narrative, the GOAT debate has already been answered for you.
Enjoy him while you can.
Anthony Abreu
Roar Guru
Just remember that he hasn’t had the likes of Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain holding his hand.
Anthony Abreu
Roar Guru
If you were an actual football fan and we’re watching that final you would understand that Portugal really struggled without Ronaldo against a superior French team at home in Paris. Had it not been for A wild and speculative effort by substitute Eder, it would have been very unlikely that they won. The things Ronaldo has managed to do with the Portugal team is nothing short of spectacular and shouldn’t be criticised by fans whose rival favourite player claims a status without merit.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Of course it does, if your argument is that he has achieved more at the international level. In reality, all Ronaldo has achieved is his team making the final (due to his injury). The fact that Portugal won without him also indicates it was a strong team independently of Ronaldo. Oh, I do. But I don’t let it impact my opinions. I wouldn’t claim that Wawrinka is a better player than Federer or Djokovic, for example. Yeah, I’ve looked into it. Don’t really believe in conspiracy theories. The fact that Messi will probably win one more is just illustrative of the fact that he’s probably the superior player.
Anthony Abreu
Roar Guru
To be honest, Ronaldo being sidelined by injury during the final match isn’t even a topic of discussion, maybe it should be. He without a doubt lead them to that position and was instrumental in their triumph. I think all fans have a favourite player Don’t you ? :) and you can’t pull statistics out of thin air to back who you support of where your allegiance lies. Maybe you should delve in to some research to understand why last years Ballon D’Or should have gone a certain way. Please do get back to me!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Lol, you simply asserted that He ‘should have more’. You provided no evidence. Millions if people would disagree with you (and millions would agree). Yeah, Portugal won Euro, with Ronaldo sitting on the sideline in the final due to injury. Whether you like it not, that impacts the legacy. You just evidently have a favourite player and want him to be the ‘GOAT’.
Anthony Abreu
Roar Guru
Couldn’t agree more. Success is a product of more than natural talent in which Messi is no doubt gifted with.
Ad-O
Guest
I know its unpopular but I agree. Ronaldo doesn't have as much talent as Messi, but hes been a more effective and successful player. Messi has so far failed to do anything outside of Barcelona, a team that would probably dominate without him. Especially during the Guardiola years. Possibly the greatest luxury player of all time, but I'd like to see him win Argentina a trophy before I put him in front of Ronaldo.
Anthony Abreu
Roar Guru
He has an international trophy which Messi does not, is tied with but should have more Ballon Do’s than Messi and has dominated for three teams in three different leagues. Not just for the one team. I have outlined all of this in my article if you’d like to go back and have a little read I’d greatly appreciate that.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Not sure on what basis he is the GOAT? Don’t have much skin in this, but you haven’t really articulated how he is even better than Messi. I don’t think either of them have had the success required at the international level TK be considered the GOAT either. Still, like Federer, he is a great player.