Ronaldo

[Temptation]

Dude R9 is so fucking overrated in these GOAT conversations! You can't be considered the GOAT based on a few ridiculous seasons.


He's nowhere near Messi and CR7. Talent isn't the only deciding factor in GOAT debates. Neymar is more talented than CR7 but nowhere near him overall.


A lot of R9's story is coated with nostalgia and what-ifs. Yes, his peak was magic, up there with the best and we haven't seen anything like that but he just didn't do it for long enough. Similar to R10. I can argue that watching peak R10 is the best experience this sport can possibly offer but in GOAT debates, you need more than that.


It's Pele, Maradona, Messi, CR7. These are the candidates. CR7's case isn't as strong as it was before 2022 because his rival won the WC, which is HUGE in terms of legacy. Not that I am expecting CR7 to win the WC with Portugal but his performances in WC knockouts have been shocking. As depressing as this is, I guess the Inter Miami guy has the best argument currently.

 

[khaled_a_d]

I don't think anyone will write R9 ahead of either Messi or CR7 if asked about an objective ranking of top 10. I would bet good portion will take him out of top 10 even.

But his top years will always be appreciated, R9 early is the answer of "what if you mix Messi and CR7 into one player". He was a monster.

 

[Temptation]

"what if you mix Messi and CR7 into one player"

No he isn't.


This is exactly what I am talking about. So overrated! It's impossible for a player to be a Messi-CR7 hybrid. The closest to that hypothetical player would probably be Pele(in terms of attributes) but even that's a huge stretch.


R9 never had Messi's insane creative abilities. Messi could unlock the toughest defenses with clever passes and through balls.


R9 never had CR7's aerial ability or long distance shooting. Not even close. CR7 jumps higher than the average NBA pro and has insane hang-time and heading accuracy.


Both Messi and CR7 have been excellent free kick takers at some point in their careers. R9 wasn't.


Other than that, there are other underrated aspects of their game like Messi's ability to link up with teammates in very tight spaces with quick 1-2s and CR7's excellent crossing ability with either foot or his ability to effortlessly play anywhere across the front 3 that R9 simply doesn't have.

 

[khaled_a_d]

No he isn't.


This is exactly what I am talking about. So overrated! It's impossible for a player to be a Messi-CR7 hybrid. The closest to that hypothetical player would probably be Pele(in terms of attributes) but even that's a huge stretch.


R9 never had Messi's insane creative abilities. Messi could unlock the toughest defenses with clever passes and through balls.


R9 never had CR7's aerial ability or long distance shooting. Not even close. CR7 jumps higher than the average NBA pro and has insane hang-time and heading accuracy.


Both Messi and CR7 have been excellent free kick takers at some point in their careers. R9 wasn't.


Other than that, there are other underrated aspects of their game like Messi's ability to link up with teammates in very tight spaces with quick 1-2s and CR7's excellent crossing ability with either foot or his ability to effortlessly play anywhere across the front 3 that R9 simply doesn't have.

I mean, if you mix players you get some of their limitations too.

He wasn't better than them in their peak, although he felt more complete as a striker, but people always mix complete with being better.

He was big strong athletic like CR7 and very talened dribbler like Messi. Hence, why he will always feels like he is the closest thing to mix both. Pele is laughable comparison considering he was slow, and was just an inch taller than Messi.

 

[Horatio]

Benzema: “Anyone can say what they want. If Cristiano think he’s the best in history, then that’s it”

But for me there are many, for me Brazilian Ronaldo is the best”

damn…another one those “I think Messi is better but can’t say it straight out cause of my Real history”

savage

 

[Temptation]

I mean, if you mix players you get some of their limitations too.

He wasn't better than them in their peak, although he felt more complete as a striker, but people always mix complete with being better.

He was big strong athletic like CR7 and very talened dribbler like Messi. Hence, why he will always feels like he is the closest thing to mix both. Pele is laughable comparison considering he was slow, and was just an inch taller than Messi.

Sure. If you mean to say that he had certain qualities of Messi and CR7 then it's true.

Pele was small but excellent in the air.

 

[vegitot]

R9 was much more transcendent player than Cr7 ever. Benzema is a striker so it's easy to understand why he admires R9. You can watch his Lyon highlight.

 

[MonteCuler]

R9 case in GOAT debates can be compared to that of Maradona. Both players with immense, once in a lifetime talent. Both ruined by some external factors, could have hypothetically achieved more than they did. Both did exceptionally well for their clubs, neither has won the CL. R9 even won the ballon d'or, Maradona was also widely regarded to be the best in the world in his prime.

So why do people rank Maradona higher than R9? Simple, Maradona is better. Even in the highest stage of football talent there is a noticeable difference.

People who rank R9 very high up probably go by this logic. R9 was not short of talent, not short of achievements - two things people focus in these debates. He has never won the CL and hasn't been going on at that insane level for as long as others in these debates, but they mostly think his talent can compensate for that and since rank him pretty high.

I rank R9 in the top 10. I don't know if that's overrated or not. I saw people rank him up there with Messi, Cris, Pele, Maradona, Cruyff and I do think it's bullshit. But GOAT debates are vague stuff that heavily depends on your view on football.

I think those people give too much of an advantage to talent over achievements. This should not be the case, althought talent imo is more important it should be rationally considered. Because if we were to judge talent only trust me GOAT debates would be fun, probably a ton of players some have never even heard of but had unbelievable talent - yet had achieved very little and had no consistency and dedication.

This is why I also rank Cristiano ahead of Maradona in this. I have no doubts about who is the better footballer with more talent but Cristiano's achievements, consistency simply give him a slight advantage.