Personally, I don't put that much weight on the question how long a footballer has produced. Yes, it is very, very impressive that Cristiano has sustained his level for so long but to me that's more of a side note. There comes a point when you've seen enough of a player to judge his quality and if he falls off a cliff afterwards that doesn't change how good he used to be. He has shown this level long enough to prove that it was not just a patch of good form but actual quality.
Comparing the three Ronaldos
- Thread starter Luke1995
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Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) discuss United's fantastic win away against Athletic Club in the semi-final of the Europa League.
They also pick out the positives of United's 4-3 loss away at Brentford, and Nik reviews a day out at Old Trafford watching Manchester United Women qualify for the Champions League.
Personally, I don't put that much weight on the question how long a footballer has produced. Yes, it is very, very impressive that Cristiano has sustained his level for so long but to me that's more of a side note. There comes a point when you've seen enough of a player to judge his quality and if he falls off a cliff afterwards that doesn't change how good he used to be. He has shown this level long enough to prove that it was not just a patch of good form but actual quality.
Here’s the problem, they have also shown many average/shite performances for longer period of their career for me to consider them not as good overall too.
To the extreme case, perhaps not good example but will help illustrate my point. Its just like Rashford currently, when he is good he is exciting to watch, but when he is shite he is totally shite, and his shite performance happened far more often than the good ones, hence he is shite player to me, no matter how good his peak was. That’s how I rate things up.
I have seen far too many players with talented and look promising/amazing for a short period but can’t keep it up long, but I have seen far too less players who can maintain their peak/quality for very long period. Hence I don’t rate players with short peak but average performance for majority of their career at all. There too many of these players around.
700 goals
But nah, he's boring to watch.
Only in caf
But nah, he's boring to watch.
Only in caf
Thats because i know what GOAT actually means. It doesnt mean just a great season. If thats GOAT level, then players like Salah, Vardy, Mahrez, Kante etc have all had GOAT seasons.
I see those as pretty much historical or legendary level seasons, but not quite GOAT material.
I did watch Barcelona in those years, i've rooted for them since before that. Peak Ronaldinho is an absolute legend of the game, but just not quite up there with peak R9, peak CR7, let alone Peak Messi.
That is of course my opinion and opinions differ person to person. Ill admit R10 was probably more entertaining to watch, all those sombrero flicks, chip passes, no look passes, electrifying dribbling etc, all that looked amazing yes, and he was efficient too, but other than being more entertaining than the other Ronaldo's, he simply wasnt a better football player.
That CR7 2007-2008 season at Utd alone was IMO better than peak R10.
By a long shot, too
But, Dinho was amazing to watch in a way CR never was, and that counts
Yet it wasn't the best season in pl history? Its arguable, comparable with Henry Suarez and Salah.
I
No chance by a long shot.
The other two will.
If we talk about peak, then Ronaldinho is at a different level (honestly not sure who would be at the same sphere).
Three truly brilliant players. One of them has had the single mindedness to work his arse off and has prolonged his career at the very top even longer than I think people thought was possible. Had the other two had that same type of desire I believe their careers would have eclipsed his, but they didnt, so he wins that one. Good for him. For natural ability, he is #3 on the list though.
My *personal* changes to your scores and added a category.
I have to have Ronaldinho above Ronaldo for beautiful goals. Ronnie has scored some amazing goals, (the greatest of which was disallowed), but Dinho's for me are almost all much nicer. So many of his best goals have 4, 5, 6 players in front of him. That's not to say Cristiano didn't score some great goals with players in front of him, but Ronaldino often skipped past a bunch of players to get to the middle of the congested pack to then score. Just my preference.
Also I'm not sure if play-making can be a catch-all for a creative pass, if so, Ronaldino deserves more than 8.5. If we're actually looking at his ability as a playmaker then I don't know.
But then there is also just that ability to keep scoring goals. Ronaldinho was peak a goal every 2 games. Brazilian Ronaldo was peak a goal every game. C Ronaldo is peak more than a goal per game.
If you asked me which of the players at the height of their powers I'd dread facing the most, it would EASILY be Luis Ronaldo.
The guy was a stone heart killer, a destroyer of worlds. Surely some of you can remember how terrifying he was?
If you asked me which I'd enjoy watching most, it would be Ronaldinho, followed by Luis Ronaldo.
If you asked me with the power of hindsight to buy one for my team, it would be C Ronaldo.
The guy was a stone heart killer, a destroyer of worlds. Surely some of you can remember how terrifying he was?
If you asked me which I'd enjoy watching most, it would be Ronaldinho, followed by Luis Ronaldo.
If you asked me with the power of hindsight to buy one for my team, it would be C Ronaldo.
I still believe that Ronaldinho is the main reason why Rivaldo doesn't get the credit he deserves from so many people. He made the impossible possible; magical player.
Since when does the amount of goals youve scored equal excitement? Is Gerd Muller one of the most exciting players in history? Was Lampard more exciting than Ini? Was Platini more exciting than Diego? Bergkamp and Zola averaged 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 in the PL. Were they less exciting than better goalscorers?
Cristiano is one of the greatest players and goalscorers of all time. But, excitement? the likes of Dinho leave him in the shade.
By virtue of the rest of your post, you clearly don't.
The italicised words are why nobody should really talk about football nowadays because they add labels like this bullshit.
Although you were close to self enlightenment by the second bolded part.
But don't let me get in the way of your self-importance.
Like i said... only in caf.
For creativity, it depends what you mean. For me, creativity has 2 meaning, to create something out of nothing, and/or to create goalscoring chances. Ronaldinho is good at the 1st one (create something out of nothing), but in terms of creating goals, C.Ronaldo has produce far more assists over his career (in less eye-catching way).
Whereas playmaking, for me is more about buildup play, orchestrating an attack move and making things click, Zidane and Pirlo are good examples of being a great playmaker. Ronaldinho has the creative spark, but I don't think he is on par with Zidane and Pirlo in terms of playmaking.
For Ronaldinho, I'd describe he is someone playing with great dribbling (10/10), flair (10/10) and imagination (10/10). But he is not necessary one of the greatest playmaker or creativity around. Hence I only rate him 8.5 in those area.
The numbers game.
C.Ronaldo from 2003 to 2013 (10 years) was an exciting player to watch, whereas Ronaldinho exciting play last only from 2001-2007 (6 years), the larger part of his career was really poor/sub-standard/not exciting/disappointing (from 27 years old onwards).
Out of 700 goals C.Ronaldo has scored, I am sure at least 200-250 goals are good/beautiful goals too. Ronaldinho had scored 280 goals over his career, maybe the proportion of beautiful goals are higher, lets say nearly half of them are good/beautiful (around 140), which is still considerably far less than C.Ronaldo.
To make fair comparison, you need to compare both player at least on fair ground.
For excitement over career, C.Ronaldo definitely better.
For excitement during peak, you may argue Ronaldinho is better.
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No particular order.
Ronaldinho - Football "playmaker" Magician
C. Ronaldo - Football "attacker" Machine
Ronaldo - Monster "9" Striker
Ronaldinho - Football "playmaker" Magician
C. Ronaldo - Football "attacker" Machine
Ronaldo - Monster "9" Striker
Yes Ronaldinho's peak is at a different level.
He scored two hat-tricks against Bayern and Atletico within 14 days in Club football's biggest competition.
Nonsense. Winning a World Cup in the manner Ronaldo did will always see him mentioned as one of the greats.
Ronaldinho’s captured a new audience and made a lot of people go from casual watchers to die hard footballs fans.
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo’s “exciting years“ start at 18/19 while Ronaldinho’s don’t until 21? He was a mega talent from a young age renowned for his creativity and flair. Here he is at 19 for example in the Copa America where he looks exciting enough to me.
And why do Cristiano’s exciting years extend well beyond the time when it was commonly recognised he prioritised efficiency over flair, which was basically around 2008, but you could, in a generous mood, extend that to his first season or two in Madrid?
Seems an unnecessary hill to die on as Ronaldo became a better player when he focused on scoring goals rather than creating them.
Ronaldo's peak at Barcelona was above anything Ronaldinho did. People forget because he was so ruthless in his play, but he could do all the tricks and more. He just didn't often need to because he was so quick and strong.
I don't know, I only count the years from the top league, its hard to know how good Ronaldinho really was back in his early time in the brazil league, as there was lack of coverage and the quality there is generally quite poor.
C.Ronaldo during 2011-2013 at Real Madrid, in my very honest opinion, is truly the best version of Ronaldo, in terms of perfect combination of pace, skills and goals. He was totally unstoppable on the pitch, and very exciting to watch. Personally I even rate this peak version of C.Ronaldo higher than peak L.Ronaldo, or at least equal.
2011
Scored 53 goals, performances are top class, great skills, pace and dribbling, exciting to watch.
2012
Scored 60 goals, performances are top class, great skills, pace and dribbling, exciting to watch.
2013
Scored 55 goals, performances are top class, great skill, pace and dribbling, exciting to watch.
The Ronaldo from 14-19, at around 28/29 to 34 years old, has indeed turn into goalscoring machine, favouring efficiency over flair, and becoming less and less exciting to watch. Yet this older version is also the most successful one, so most people tend remember him as the less exciting version instead.
Another thing is, the peak form/performance of Ronaldo during 11-13, also coincides with peak form/performance of Messi, support by peak Xavi/Ineista. I consider they are more or less equal (Ronaldo vs Messi) during that period of time in terms of performances on the pitch, but Barca had won more trophies and had a better team, so Messi naturally gets more credits during that period.
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GOAT=Greatest of all time.
R10's 2005/06 wasnt IMO the greatest of all time season by an individual player, and he doesnt even come close. There are hundreds of examples of players having similar seasons, and quite a few ones being better. Messi alone has around 4 or 5 seasons better than Dinho 05/06.
But hey if you think otherwise you do you, lets just agree to disagree. Im not going to get on my high horse and post a comment or two basically mocking you which in turn will make me feel better about myself. Well other than this one at least
What part of the thread title don't you get ?!?
The man asked who has more ability out of the 3, and he gave you some areas in which to compare them.
Who was more efficient is besides the point, and there is nor proof you are right. IMO Cristiano scored against far weaker opposition and in an era where scoring is a lot easier.
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Ronaldinho has one thing that is extremely rare in professional football, he played with palpable joy. And I shared his joy every single time, the only other time I felt that way was with Seedorf at Botafogo.
That about sums it up perfectly for me, assuming I'd be able to keep C. Ronaldo to his peak years and not lose him, otherwise I'd go for R9 for instant impact.
Very good reply. They are actually close in all of these.
My favorite seasons by them go as follow:
Ronaldinho was brilliant in 2003-04 and 2004-05 but in 2005-06 he was even better than in these two first seasons if that's possible.
I didn't see the first Ronaldo at Barcelona or at Inter, so i'll go with 2002-03. A very good season for him after winning the World Cup. Possibly his best season at Madrid.
C.Ronaldo's peak for United was 2007-08 and his peak career form overall was 2011-2012, but my favorite season is 2003-04. Dude had no experience in the PL and just came in to the team and played like he had been here for years. The Bolton debut stands out as stunning.
Cristiano comfortably. Then Ronaldo. Ronaldinho was brilliant to watch but levels below those two.
I think fans forget just how good current ronaldo was when he was in his twenties, you dont get discussed as the best footballer to have ever lived based longetivity and being a brilliant poacher of goals, for me he was equally as good as either ronaldinho and r9 in terms of ability at their peak
Quite disrespectful to leave out Shanta Ronaldo like that.
ability:
C. Ronaldo
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo
Such a massive shame Ronaldo didn't stay with us instead of going to Madrid. Like others have said he will be talked about forever, and it would be amazing to remembered as a United player.
C. Ronaldo
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo
Such a massive shame Ronaldo didn't stay with us instead of going to Madrid. Like others have said he will be talked about forever, and it would be amazing to remembered as a United player.
Pure footballing ability.
1. Ronaldinho
2. Fat Ronaldo
3. Cristiano
Cristiano is technically better and he's honed his skills to perfection. We all know he's extremely dedicated but he's more technical that the other two, they were just naturally more fluid and skilful.
I remember watching Ronaldo from the late 90s onwards and he was just sensational. Ronaldinho, I'd seen bits of before the 2002 world cup and from then for about 4 or 5 years he was simply the best thing about football. Cristiano is a goal machine and has scored some unbelievable goals, performed incredible skills, his longevity makes him the better overall player.
Anyway here are my favourite goals from the three. Never get tired of seeing these.
No. 1 in this video.
1. Ronaldinho
2. Fat Ronaldo
3. Cristiano
Cristiano is technically better and he's honed his skills to perfection. We all know he's extremely dedicated but he's more technical that the other two, they were just naturally more fluid and skilful.
I remember watching Ronaldo from the late 90s onwards and he was just sensational. Ronaldinho, I'd seen bits of before the 2002 world cup and from then for about 4 or 5 years he was simply the best thing about football. Cristiano is a goal machine and has scored some unbelievable goals, performed incredible skills, his longevity makes him the better overall player.
Anyway here are my favourite goals from the three. Never get tired of seeing these.
No. 1 in this video.
No he isn't
Think his dribbling skills at PSG were more eye candy than those at Barca
He also looked much faster
Does anyone remember the fan page he had in the early 00s ronald10.com?
Remeber used to visit it every day for his goals and gifs of his skils.
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I know it’s not cool to rate CR7 on here, but it’s got to be him IMO.
People are talking like he had no talent. When he came on against Bolton, before he entered beast mode, he had bags of skill and talent. He adapted his game to allow him to have his longevity.
Ronaldo was similar in a way. A lot of power and incredible at scoring goals for a few seasons.
I live in Barcelona, where they hate CR7, but I don’t think even the hardest Barça fan would even put Ronaldinho in the same bracket as CR7. Fun to watch and a great YouTube highlights man but often anonymous and ridiculously overrated by fans of other teams. Saying so would be like saying Andrew Henderson is a better footballer than Cristiano.
People are talking like he had no talent. When he came on against Bolton, before he entered beast mode, he had bags of skill and talent. He adapted his game to allow him to have his longevity.
Ronaldo was similar in a way. A lot of power and incredible at scoring goals for a few seasons.
I live in Barcelona, where they hate CR7, but I don’t think even the hardest Barça fan would even put Ronaldinho in the same bracket as CR7. Fun to watch and a great YouTube highlights man but often anonymous and ridiculously overrated by fans of other teams. Saying so would be like saying Andrew Henderson is a better footballer than Cristiano.
Ronaldo Lima and Cristiano were cool.
But none of them was "got his own football video game in nintendo 64" kind of cool
But none of them was "got his own football video game in nintendo 64" kind of cool