Cristiano Ronaldo’s Footballing Mount Rushmore: Zidane Joins Messi
Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has identified the one player who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Lionel Messi in his estimation of all-time greatness. While the Ronaldo-Messi debate has raged for years, captivating fans worldwide, Ronaldo himself has offered a fascinating insight into his personal pantheon of football legends.
For two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have reigned supreme over the beautiful game. Their combined trophy cabinets boast an astonishing 13 Ballon d’Or awards – a testament to their sustained excellence and individual brilliance. Messi edges ahead with eight, while Ronaldo proudly holds five, highlighting their fierce yet respectful rivalry.
Though widely acknowledged as two of the best to ever grace the pitch, the Portuguese superstar, Ronaldo, has previously revealed a third name he believes belongs in the same rarefied air as himself and Messi when discussing the greatest football players of all time.
During his explosive TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines for his candid criticisms of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, the club’s ownership under The Glazers, and former teammates like Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney. The interview sent shockwaves through the footballing world.
However, amidst the controversy, Ronaldo’s reflections on his career, his long-standing rivalry with Messi, and the sport’s all-time greats also sparked significant discussion and offered a contrasting perspective.
When Piers Morgan directly questioned Ronaldo about the best player he had ever witnessed – explicitly excluding himself from consideration – the answer offered a glimpse into Ronaldo’s footballing mind. The interviewer sought to understand Ronaldo’s perspective on the legends of the game he has competed against and admired.
Ronaldo’s response was clear and concise: “Probably [Messi], yes.”
He then expanded on his selection, adding depth to his top-tier football bracket: “Him [and Zinedine] Zidane probably – that I have played and fought with.”
Zinedine Zidane’s credentials as a footballing icon are undeniable. The French maestro guided France to World Cup and European Championship triumphs in 1998 and 2000, respectively, etching his name into national team folklore. Furthermore, Zidane’s managerial prowess saw him lead Ronaldo and Real Madrid to an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League titles, solidifying his status both on and off the pitch. His elegance, skill, and leadership are remembered by fans globally.
Zidane led France to World Cup glory in 1998 (Getty)
Addressing his relationship with Messi, Ronaldo dispelled any notions of rivalry-fueled animosity, instead describing a bond of mutual respect and professional camaraderie.
He elaborated on their dynamic:
- “Amazing player, he is magic.”
- “As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. we share.”
- “So, I have a great relationship with him. I’m not a friend of his in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it’s like a team-mate.”
- “He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re from Argentina.”
- “My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good. What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”
Ronaldo’s words paint a picture of deep admiration for Messi, highlighting a relationship built on years of shared experiences at the pinnacle of world football and mutual professional regard.
Ronaldo’s Top 3 Footballers: Key Takeaways
To summarise, Cristiano Ronaldo’s selection of his greatest players offers several key insights:
- Respect for Messi: Ronaldo acknowledges Messi’s immense talent, even placing him at the very top of players he has seen, excluding himself.
- Zidane’s Influence: He clearly holds Zidane in incredibly high esteem, recognizing his dual achievements as a player and manager.
- Professional Rivalry, Personal Respect: Ronaldo clarifies that while a fierce professional rivalry exists with Messi, it’s underpinned by genuine respect and a shared understanding of their unique positions in football history.
Who makes your list of the greatest football players of all time? Join the conversation and share your top picks in the comments below!