Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the greatest footballer in history, saying his performances and goalscoring achievements have not received the recognition he believes they deserve. In excerpts from an interview with CNN Portugal, the Portugal captain said the numbers supported his claim as he continues pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals. However, reports indicate that the interview was recorded in 2025, meaning the remarks were not newly made in response to his latest controversy with Portugal’s national team.
Ronaldo said he wanted his career to progress naturally rather than becoming overly focused on reaching a specific goal tally. He also acknowledged that he could not predict how long he would continue playing, saying a loss of motivation could eventually lead him to retire. His comments have reignited the long-running debate over football’s greatest player, with Lionel Messi remaining his principal rival in the discussion. Ronaldo’s supporters point to his remarkable goalscoring record and longevity, while Messi’s achievements include eight Ballon d’Or awards and the 2022 FIFA World Cup title.
The remarks resurfaced amid renewed attention on Ronaldo’s relationship with Portugal’s national team following a reported disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo was provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after leaving the team camp, according to reports. CNN Portugal subsequently removed the interview material from its platforms, prompting further discussion about its timing and context. Ronaldo has not announced a retirement date, and his comments about potentially losing motivation should not be interpreted as confirmation that he intends to end his career soon.
