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Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil, Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League
Josh Lawless
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil, Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo did not hesitate when naming the two footballers who he idolised growing up.
Ronaldo has always been compared to long-time rival Lionel Messi, with the two completely changing the game of football with their incredible achievements.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner and the highest-scoring player in the history, Ronaldo has served as an inspiration to a whole generation of footballers - including Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Endrick, Bukayo Saka and Alejandro Garnacho.
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But the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar also had two idols who he looked up to.
The 39-year-old has admitted to growing up watching Brazilian greats Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho, who both won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and claimed three Ballon d'Ors.
He pointed out that he has more individual accolades than both yet did concede they have won the World Cup trophy that the Portuguese superstar will likely never get his hands on.
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"I don’t like comparisons," Ronaldo said, speaking to ESPN Brasil.
"I prefer to say that the two [Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho Gaúcho] left their legacy, their history.
"I can say, by facts, that I won more individual titles than they did, but both won World Cups.
“I sympathize a lot with them. I grew up watching them both play. Saying who is the best, who is second, is not the most important thing.
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Only Messi has won more Ballon d'Ors than Ronaldo in history but now playing in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, he has been omitted from the France Football shortlist for the past two years.
There are a crop of world-class players who could be the heir to the throne of Messi and Ronaldo, with Ronaldo recently naming a slew of players who he thinks are capable of winning the Ballon d'Or.
He picked out Mbappe, Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal.
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"Kylian Mbappe can win the Ballon d'Or for the next few years," Ronaldo said in conversation with former teammate Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel UR
"Probably Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham [as well]."
"Also Lamine Yamal. I think this new generation, they have a lot of potential."