Cristiano Ronaldo didn't hesitate when naming the greatest footballer he's seen play live

Cristiano Ronaldo once named the best player he’s ever seen live – and his answer may come as a surprise.

Ronaldo, 39, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have played the game. His five Ballon d’Or crowns are a testament to his trophy-laden career and consistent pursuit of excellence.

In his 1035 club games, he has netted a staggering 778 goals and 241 assists – making him Real Madrid’s record goalscorer with 450 strikes in 438 games, averaging a goal every 84 minutes while wearing the famous white of Los Blancos.

From a collective point of view, Ronaldo has been pivotal in achieving success at most clubs he has played for.

The Portuguese has won league titles in Italy with Juventus, in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with Manchester United as well as achieving success with Portugal when they lifted the European Championship in Paris, France back in 2016.

Given his achievements, many people consider Ronaldo to be the GOAT (greatest of all time). But who has impressed the 39-year-old most when he was in attendance at a game?

Well, when speaking back in 2022, journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan revealed that Ronaldo had told him during a private conversation that Lionel Messi was the greatest player he had witnessed in the flesh.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo boast an iconic rivalry (Credit:Getty)

"I had a very interesting conversation with Cristiano, we had dinner after I first interviewed him three years ago, it was a really great conversation and I really like him as a person," Morgan said on talkSPORT.

"He was incredibly respectful about Messi and I said to him, 'Who's the best player you've ever seen?'

"He said, 'Messi, but you're asking the wrong question, you're not asking me who is the best player…', because, of course, he has never seen himself play live.

"So, that made me laugh.

"But then he talked about the pair of them and the difference between them and a lot of the other greats, like R9 Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, George Best, Paul Gascoigne, he said the difference is the longevity he and Messi have had.

"Messi and Ronaldo have had 18 or 19 years at the very top of their game, and that's testament to their extraordinary dedication, their remarkable physical fitness and their rivalry, which has without any question driven the other to ever greater heights.

"I think it's been one of the great rivalries of any sport ever, so we're very lucky to have them."

Ronaldo - currently of Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr - seemingly has no plans of retiring at the moment and has bolstered his already sublime goals tally with 13 goals in 15 league games for the club this term.