Cristiano Ronaldo was asked if a World Cup win with Portugal could effectively end the longstanding GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and him.
Ronaldo, 37, has linked up with his Portugal teammates ahead of their opening Group H clash against Ghana at the Stadium 974 in Doha.
The Manchester United superstar hinted in his recent interview with Piers Morgan that the World Cup in Qatar could be his final appearance in FIFA’s tournament.
“It’s difficult to tell right now, it’s because, we, my mood is right now towards the World Cup. It’s probably my last World Cup, of course, my fifth World Cup,” he told Morgan.
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“I don’t know what’s going to happen after the World Cup, but as I told you before, and I will say again, the fans will be always in my heart.
“And I hope they’ve been in my side, even if I back, or if I’m not back, or if I stay or whatever.
“Nobody’s perfect. Episodes in the life we all have is part of being human beings, it’s part of me to be a human being and father as well. I always will commit mistakes.
“But I don’t know, it’s hard to tell right now what’s going to happen after the World Cup because my focus is for the World Cup, for the Portugal national team.”
Ronaldo, who won Euro 2016 and the Nations League with Portugal, has often been pitted against Messi by fans in the debate over who is the best player of all time.
Speaking at Portugal’s World Cup training camp, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner spoke out about his controversial interview over his treatment at United.
But Ronaldo was also asked if he could settle the GOAT debate between him and Messi once and for all by leading Portugal to the World Cup.
“No, I don’t see things like that out there,” he responded.
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“Even if I won the World Cup, there would always be this debate. Some like me more, some less. It’s like everything in life. It’s normal.
“Will the World Cup be the most important competition? Yes, one of the most, it’s a dream to win, but if we didn’t win any more trophies, I’d be proud.”
Joining Fernando Santos’ Portugal in Group H are Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Portugal, Football World Cup, Football
Adnan Riaz