RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA :Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has ignited fresh debate about his standing in the sport’s history, asserting that winning the FIFA World Cup—the only major trophy missing from his cabinet—would not define his vast legacy.
Speaking in a highly anticipated interview with journalist Piers Morgan, the Portugal captain made it clear that while lifting the global trophy remains an ambition, he considers it just one component of his storied career.
“If you ask me, Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup? No, it’s not a dream,” the 40-year-old Al Nassr star said in a preview clip of the interview set for release later today.
Ronaldo, who holds the record as the leading goal scorer in men’s international football with 143 goals and boasts a career total of 952 goals (including club football), argued that reducing his impact to a single, short tournament would be “unjust.”
“Define what? To define if I’m one of the best of the history, to win one competition, [of] six games, seven games. You think it’s fair?” Ronaldo questioned.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s career achievements with Portugal include winning the Euro 2016 tournament and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.
The interview also touched upon the decades-long rivalry and constant comparison with his contemporary, Lionel Messi.
Messi, the former Barcelona legend and winner of a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, recently stated that winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina was “the dream of my life.”
Ronaldo, however, stood firm on his position regarding the comparison. “Is Messi better than me? I disagree. I don’t want to be humble,” he stated.
Ronaldo’s comments are set to intensify discussions among fans and pundits as he enters the twilight of a distinguished career marked by unparalleled goal-scoring records and five UEFA Champions League titles.
