Ronaldo

[Maradona37]

R9 is one of the most underrated players of the past (along with Zidane). Clueless kids of this era think guys like Neymar, Lewy are better and that R9 couldn't lace C Ronaldo's boots.

You really had to watch him at the time to know his brilliance could not be captured by stats (though he still scored a lot anyway). Which is why clueless, know-nothing dickheads who go on about his poor CL stats are dull as fuck.

Some players have IT. Ronaldo had it. Lewy doesn't.

 

[Temptation]

But Football fans will glorify unprofessional behaviour and terrible leadership as "character" and "one of the lads".

 

[iniestaGOAT]

R9 is one of the most underrated players of the past (along with Zidane). Clueless kids of this era think guys like Neymar, Lewy are better and that R9 couldn't lace C Ronaldo's boots.

You really had to watch him at the time to know his brilliance could not be captured by stats (though he still scored a lot anyway). Which is why clueless, know-nothing dickheads who go on about his poor CL stats are dull as fuck.

Some players have IT. Ronaldo had it. Lewy doesn't.

I am gonna have to correct your post a little bit.
R9 ain't better than Neymar.
Zidane is overrated, not underrated.

Rest of your post is fine.

 

[MagIX]

The fact is that R9 reached such an extraordinary level, a peak that few players in football history have ever touched, just like Maradona and Messi in modern football.
CR7 and Lewa haven't even come remotely close.
If we were to rank the GOATs based on talent and the peak they reached in their careers, R9 would undoubtedly be near the top.

 

[KingLeo10]

The fact is that R9 reached such an extraordinary level, a peak that few players in football history have ever touched, just like Maradona and Messi in modern football.
CR7 and Lewa haven't even come remotely close.
If we were to rank the GOATs based on talent and the peak they reached in their careers, R9 would undoubtedly be near the top.

When it comes to talent based top 3, the only answer is the two Argentinian GOATs and R9. Pele would be a close 4th.

Difficult to split between them.

 

[Windhook]

The fact is that R9 reached such an extraordinary level, a peak that few players in football history have ever touched, just like Maradona and Messi in modern football.
CR7 and Lewa haven't even come remotely close.
If we were to rank the GOATs based on talent and the peak they reached in their careers, R9 would undoubtedly be near the top.

He got labelled The Phenomenon in mid 90's for a reason. His physique & speed was unseen and 'till this day I haven't seen of his kind. Injuries derailed his path and by 2006, at age 30, he was on a rapid decline.

 

[soul24rage]

R9 could destroy teams on his own.

An absolute freak.

 

[vegitot]

The fact is that R9 reached such an extraordinary level, a peak that few players in football history have ever touched, just like Maradona and Messi in modern football.
CR7 and Lewa haven't even come remotely close.
If we were to rank the GOATs based on talent and the peak they reached in their careers, R9 would undoubtedly be near the top.

What is his peak? 1996-98 (for two seasons)?

 

[MagIX]

 

[Windhook]

What is his peak? 1996-98 (for two seasons)?

I would say so. But what a peak!

 

[Temptation]

I must say that I definitely prefer watching his highlight clips over Messi and Ronaldo's.


In terms of ability in his peak, R9 was superhuman.


He's very interesting to watch.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1838856716877713778

 

[Maradona37]

Cristiano Ronaldo (and Lewy, by some) is only seen as 'better' than R9 and Ronaldinho because of superior goal stats (in a more goal-oriented era) and longevity (even though he's been finished and terrified of retirement for years now).

In terms of technical ability, genius, magic moments, ball control, passing, dribbling the pair of them piss on him from a skyscraper height.

So I guess it depends on what you value? Do you value goal stats (which include lots of stat padding and out of context) and longevity, or do you value genius and the superior beauty which the two Brazilians left us with?

I am a football romantic, so for me it is easily the latter. I don't care that C Ronaldo scores so many goals (especially when at least half of them are absolutely meaningless) or has played for a longer time (at a worse level) than the geniuses.

I'd rather burn for a shorter period but twice as brightly, than go on and on and on but never reach the brightness of the others. Quality over quantity.

 

[Maradona37]

The fact is that R9 reached such an extraordinary level, a peak that few players in football history have ever touched, just like Maradona and Messi in modern football.
CR7 and Lewa haven't even come remotely close.
If we were to rank the GOATs based on talent and the peak they reached in their careers, R9 would undoubtedly be near the top.

On reddit they seriously argue that Cristiano Ronaldo is the undisputed second best player ever and claim that anyone who thinks Maradona is better is clueless. They don't even think R9 warrants a mention.

These all have lots of upvotes in favour and anyone defending Maradona is downvoted. I swear they're absolutely thick and have never seen Maradona play.

It's like the Twilight Zone. It's very telling that gen Z kids and new fans think Ronaldo is far better than Maradona and Pele and up there with Messi, but actual football people - players (not including speed merchant dummies like Haaland, Mbappe and Kvara) coaches, past players, all consider those three the holy trinity.

Modern football fans are weird with their claims online. They act like the majority consider Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the two best players ever. It's extremely disrespectful to players from history to just assume the latter is the second best player ever because he's much more famous in the year 2025 and has far more footage available to watch. Like I have said, Cristiano Ronaldo really benefits from this association with Messi. They all compare him to Messi and imply because he has 'kept up' with Messi (which is a myth in itself) he must be the second best player ever if Messi is the first. Absolutely pathetic knowledge and logic.

 

[Total-Football]

Phenomenal player but slightly overrated by casuals.. saying peak ronaldo is the goat and shit like that. If we are only comparing peak moments.. I have Messi and ronaldinho above ronaldo in absolute peak ( as someone who remembers football vividly since 95). Highlights hide a bit of R9 weaknesses.. he didn't use to help in defense and his passing ability was kind of basic and he was weak in the air /heading. I would have a hard time choosing between peak R9 and peak R7 though. Based on asthetics/efficiency R9 above however.

 

[Total-Football]

On reddit they seriously argue that Cristiano Ronaldo is the undisputed second best player ever and claim that anyone who thinks Maradona is better is clueless. They don't even think R9 warrants a mention.

These all have lots of upvotes in favour and anyone defending Maradona is downvoted. I swear they're absolutely thick and have never seen Maradona play.

It's like the Twilight Zone. It's very telling that gen Z kids and new fans think Ronaldo is far better than Maradona and Pele and up there with Messi, but actual football people - players (not including speed merchant dummies like Haaland, Mbappe and Kvara) coaches, past players, all consider those three the holy trinity.

Modern football fans are weird with their claims online. They act like the majority consider Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the two best players ever. It's extremely disrespectful to players from history to just assume the latter is the second best player ever because he's much more famous in the year 2025 and has far more footage available to watch. Like I have said, C Ronaldo really benefits from this association with Messi. They all compare him to Messi and imply because he has 'kept up' with Messi he must be the second best player ever if Messi is the first. Absolutely pathetic knowledge and logic.

Messi is a level above R9.