Karim Benzema has rejected Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim of being the greatest footballer of all time, instead picking Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario. The Real Madrid icon, who played alongside Ronaldo for nine years following their joint arrival at the club in 2009, holds the Brazilian Ronaldo in higher regard.
That is despite Ronaldo’s staggering achievements and records set during his illustrious La Liga career. Benzema, 37, now playing in the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad in 2023, also sidestepped Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the debate.
Responding to Ronaldo’s recent proclamation of being the best of all time, he said: “Everyone can say what they want. If he thinks he’s the best in history, fine, then it’s him.
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“For me, for example, it’s Ronaldo, the one from Brazil. But Cristiano is who he is. I don’t like making comparisons between players; I believe each has their own story, and he has his, he’s very good.”
Ronaldo, now playing for Al-Nassr, pointed to his sustained excellence and goal-scoring feats as evidence. “I honestly haven’t seen anyone better than me. You have to look at the numbers full stop,” he said in an interview with Spanish media El Chiringuito.
“I believe I am the most complete player who has ever existed. It’s me. I do everything in football. I play well in terms of heading the ball, I’m good at free-kicks, I’m good with my left foot, I’m quick, I’m strong, I jump. I am the best player ever, I believe that.”
Ronaldo’s claim did not sit well with former teammate Angel Di Maria, who has had the privilege of playing alongside both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He offered a contrasting view during an interview with Infobae, an Argentine news outlet.
“He [Ronaldo] always made these kind of remarks,” said Di Maria. “He always tried to be the best, but he was unfortunately born in a generation where there was another player [Messi] who made everything he touched turn to gold.”
“The reality is demonstrated in the numbers. One player won eight Ballon d’Or awards [Messi] while the other won five [Ronaldo]. Another key difference is that one has lifted the World Cup [Messi]. There are many differences between the two players.”