sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Watch: In 2007, Cristiano Ronaldo Was Asked Who The GOAT Is. His Answer Was Perfect

Watch: In 2007, Cristiano Ronaldo Was Asked Who The GOAT Is. His Answer Was Perfect

10 years and five Ballon d'Ors later, maybe he has a point

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

Cristiano Ronaldo further established himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time, tonight, when he lifted the Ballon d'Or for a record equalling fifth time, having fired Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double, in 2017.

Last year Ronaldo beat his foe and arch nemesis Messi to the title and FIFA's new The Best award after he helped Real Madrid win the Champions League and Portugal win the European Championships in France.

In the past 12 months the former Manchester United winger helped Los Blancos win their first La Liga title in five years whilst they also became club world champions and the first team to defend the Champions League title.


Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates

The Portuguese phenom has been unstoppable once again over the past year and has now added a fifth Ballon d'Or to his second FIFA 'The Best' award. Image: PA

At the FIFA awards in October, Ronaldo beat off competition from Messi and the world's most expensive player Neymar to scoop his second consecutive The Best prize, during a ceremony in London.


Ten years ago, however, Ronaldo was just beginning to rise to prominence, having captured his first Premier League title with Manchester United, enjoying his most prolific season to date with the Red Devils, having scored 23 goals in a campaign that saw Sir Alex Ferguson's men also reach the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals.

It would be now retired Brazilian playmaker Kaka who would be crowned the world's greatest in 2007, with Ronaldo finishing in second place in the Ballon d'Or voting. Yet taking home the silver medal did nothing to deplete the Portuguese phenom's confidence.

During an event in Manchester, Ronaldo, flanked by then teammates Rio Ferdinand and Anderson, was approached by Soccer AM's Tubes, who asked the United trio who they believed to the be the Greatest Player Of All Time.

For Ronaldo, there was only one answer:

Of course he dubbed himself as the Greatest Of All Time. Even if he does say so with a wry smile on his face, the Portugal captain knew a decade ago what he was going to be capable of and a few months later, he would be lifting his second consecutive Premier League trophy and first ever Champions League. When the 2008 Ballon d'Or winner was announced, it would be the former Sporting Club prodigy's first of four trips to the winner's podium.

We seriously doubt he's finished with five Ballon d'Ors, either.

Featured Image Credit: Soccer AM

Topics: Football News, Football, Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga