Ronaldo Nazario named the greatest football players without including his nameake Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Brazilian footballing icon will go down as one of the game’s all-time greats with two World Cups to his name in an awe-inspiring career.
The now 46-year old was unfortunately struck by injury, which prevented him from producing the amazing numbers that Lionel Messi achieved, despite the fact that his early career suggested that this was a natural outcome.
However, his goal number is well below the of Manchester United’s Ronaldo, but that isn’t enough to see the Portuguese make his list of greats.
The Guardian following the release of his documentary, The Phenomenon, Ronaldo was discussing the 2022 World Cup and asked about Argentina’s chances.
Refusing to back Messi due to his country’s rivalry with Brazil, Ronaldo was asked who was the best Argentine, Messi or Diego Maradona.
“That’s unfair,” he said. “I think there is a very, very special group where you have Diego, Messi, [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Pelé, [Marco] van Basten, Ronaldinho.
“I would include myself. Let the fans have their say. They can debate it in the bars. But you can’t rank them, can’t compare generations.
“People call me Original Ronaldo but, bloody hell, there were others – and they weren’t false. I’m not the only one and more will come along and be better than me, in everything.
“I did what I could, the best I could. I’m doing other things now, important things, and I want to keep improving myself. As a footballer I can’t do any more now.”
A two-time Ballon d’Or winner while at Inter Milan and later Real Madrid, Ronaldo inspired a number of world class footballers, but surprisingly isn’t the reason Manchester United’s forwardThe same name.
It in fact came from Cristiano’s father’s favourite actor Ronald Regan, who became US president when his son was born.
Ronaldo Nazario did not forget to credit the Man United player, but he listed him as a modern point of reference for Neymar.
“People love him a lot,” Ronaldo said of the Paris Saint-Germain man. “If we talk specifically about football, I doubt there’s anyone who doesn’t love him.
“His private life transcends football but I’m not interested. He’s daring, has skill, variety, is quick, scores goals, has personality.
“You could compare him to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even though they’re from a different planet. Neymar is one pitch. [thing], then people mix in all the other stuff.”
