Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Lionel Messi's former teammate held nothing back when reacting to Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning claim of being the GOAT.
Ronaldo sat down with El Chiringuito for a wide-ranging interview ahead of his 40th birthday.
He appeared to aim a brutal dig at former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and revealed the club that tried to sign him while he was still playing for Sporting CP.
Ronaldo also declared himself the GOAT of football ahead of the likes of Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona.
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He referenced his numbers and claimed he's the 'most complete' player in history.
"I’m the best player in football history. I haven’t seen anyone better than me in football history, and I’m saying truth from my heart," he explained.
"I’m talking about numbers. I think I’m the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it’s me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I’m fast. I’m strong."
Ronaldo added: "One thing is taste. If you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that, but saying Ronaldo isn’t complete... I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart."
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Javier Mascherano has since reacted as he was pressed about Ronaldo's claim during Inter Miami's pre-season.
Mascherano, who was appointed Inter Miami head coach last November, refuted the Portuguese star's GOAT comments, stating he has his 'own thoughts'.
"Cristiano saying he is the most complete and the greatest player in history? I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and I do not have the need to analyse his opinions. It’s what he thinks," he said.
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"I have my own thoughts and it isn’t that."
Mascherano played with Messi at both club and country.
He played alongside him at Barcelona and they both represented Argentina.
Messi seemed to cement his GOAT status at the 2022 World Cup when he inspired his national team to glory.