Cristiano Ronaldo - Countdown to 1k | 959 currently

[Redplane]

It's kinda funny - for the majority of their careers I've been in the Ronnie camp with regards to who I rate more - him or Messi. I know Messi has a twat side to him too - but most of that seems to be reserved for on the pitch.

With all the talking Ronnie has been doing - especially in these interviews with that cnt Piers - I moved firmly into the Messi camp. I can't stand self absorbed cnts. Especially since we have so many of them getting attention these days.

 

[Fobal]

Have not watched the interview, but I saw a hilarious post on social media that listed the (comedic) basics of each of his deluded opinions. I repeat them here with my reactions:

"I am more handsome than David Beckham"
Matter of opinion

"I am more famous than Trump"
Uh, probably not. You've taken a lot of notes from his playbook, though....

"I have more hair than LeBron James"
Can't argue with him there

"For him, scoring in Spain is easier than scoring in Saudi"
Yes, we were all more athletic 15 years ago.

"Saudi is better than Ligue Un and the Portuguese League"
It isn't

Saudi League goals should count for the European Golden Boot
Uh, no

"World Cup is not a dream"
You wrote a lengthy epistle after being knocked out of the last one, stating that winning the WC was your biggest dream. I wonder what could have changed between then and now.....?

"I cried when Jota died, you can ask Georgina if you don't believe"
The narcissism and solipsism in this statement beggars belief. Hopefully, in context, it wasn't quite this bad.....

"Argentina had 2 World Cups before Messi"
The interesting thing about this one is that he is using the same arguments that his fans use on Twitter to try and explain why Messi winning at international level is not as impressive as him winning lesser trophies at international level. Which shows that (a) he reads the stuff online and (b) he is quite willing to denigrate Portugal and Portuguese football history to make himself look better.

The logic of the 'never did anything before I showed up' argument is questionable anyway. All it means is that you showed up at a time that the nation had a good enough team/infrastructure. Brazil had never won the World Cup before Pele showed up, does he get extra credit for this? I guess Pele is definitely the GOAT, then.

How about at club level - does the fact that Ronaldo played for (historically) the most successful clubs in England, Italy and Spain diminish his achievements? After all, Real Madrid had won 9 European Cups before he came along. Contrast with Maradona at Napoli - no league titles, no European trophies. He provided both. Therefore, Maradona's time at Napoli > Ronaldo's time at Real Madrid. QED

The whole thing makes no sense.

Here there is another subject that it's not precisly great, why one hell he downgrades the level of his past and current mates, even if it was the absolute truth (that it isn't).

Anyway the constant references in his career directly or undirectly towards Messi at this point with 40 years old, it's extremely silly beyind childish. At times he acts like an online fan. I really don't get it.

 

[Fobal]

It's kinda funny - for the majority of their careers I've been in the Ronnie camp with regards to who I rate more - him or Messi. I know Messi has a twat side to him too - but most of that seems to be reserved for oh the pitch. With all the talking Ronnie has been doing - especially in these interviews with that cnt Piers - I moved firmly into the Messi camp. I can't stand self absorbed cnts. Especially since we have so many of them getting attention these days.

Every player has a cnut side, because every human has it and way more with these real special fellas regarding their profesion. The thing that also cringes here, it's that he hasn't a trully at least a funny? clever? style with his digs, like once Maradona, Pele, Romario, Ibra, Etoo or whomever had.
And in his case he creates digs, comments, with a side that never answers him, it really cringes.

 

[Irwin99]

some of the Portuguese teams he played for were excellent, and while the one that won the 2016 championship wasn’t great at all and he deserves praise for that, I find the suggestion that he’s been constantly playing with lesser quality players pretty ridiculous. Guy has been teammates with the likes of Figo, Pepe, Bruno, Ramos, Silva, Costa, Carvaliho etc. messi’s Argentina had some pretty average players playing for them over the years too alongside the better ones.

Liverpool fans pull the same crap with Gerrard at times. They’d have you think he played with conference level players.

 

[NYAS]

Only 3 Argentinian players (apart from Messi) would get into the current Portugal starting line-up.

Surely that’s more relevant than what happened in 1986.

 

[Fobal]

some of the Portuguese teams he played for were excellent, and while the one that won the 2016 championship wasn’t great at all and he deserves praise for that, I find the suggestion that he’s been constantly playing with lesser quality players pretty ridiculous. Guy has been teammates with the likes of Figo, Pepe, Bruno, Ramos, Silva, Costa, Carvaliho etc. messi’s Argentina had some pretty average players playing for them over the years too alongside the better ones.

Liverpool fans pull the same crap with Gerrard at times. They’d have you think he played with conference level players.

He reffers more to tradition, yet it's not the greates of comments towards his mates and quite avoidable.

A real discussion about that, will never be about names, what really helps any player, special or not, It's playing on a team acting like one. The team will play even better, if the names are better.
Then results will come or not, that was and will always be the only real truth regarding, Clubs, International, or whatever.

Leaving this real approach, any other theory or idea it's just silly angles.

Maradona could have never won the WC without a team that played like the one he had for at least that short period of time in Mexico, neither Messi, neither Kempes, no one.
Same with Pele, Beckenbaeur, etc...it's almost impossible to pull one of those.

Perhaps the closer I can recall an almost win in such scenario is Argentina in 1990, that only played as a solid team and well against Italy, to a certain degrree in the final and the second half against Brazil after being battered the first half and that was not a proper team on every angle, with a mess of names, constant changes and going from disfunctional to functional perfomances at times with nothing in between. Yet when played as such, he was competitive, because teams are the oens that are competitive.

 

[Fobal]

Only 2 Argentinian players (apart from Messi) would get into the current Portugal starting line-up.

Surely that’s more relevant than what happened in 1986.

That's not true, but it doesn't matter, because that's not the real issue.

 

[NYAS]

That's not true, but it doesn't matter, because that's not the real issue.

I forgot Julian so it’s 3 plus Messi. Julian, Emi, Cuti and Messi. It is true and my point was that he’s talking shit.

 

[RedMessiah]

I have a feeling Portugal will win the World Cup and Ronaldo will be hailed as the GOAT

Portugal might win the World Cup, they have a strong team. No chance Ronaldo is hailed as the GOAT though. Messi will still be considered a better player.

 

[Fobal]

I forgot Julian so it’s 3 plus Messi. Julian, Emi, Cuti and Messi. It is true and my point was that he’s talking shit.

His aim wasn't that much about names, but tradition, but at the same time he is making an unnecessary dig regarding his mates, worse when he says that Portugal won 3 titles with him.

PD: I ve read 2...but still that just not the point because it would depend on taste and in fact for some might be only Messi or not even him, others might include Martinez, Mac Allister or others, plus there is no final squad for the WC and like I've said before, teams won Cups, not names, names work if they play as a team, not the other way around, less in this type of competitions.

 

[Fobal]

Portugal might win the World Cup, they have a strong team. No chance Ronaldo is hailed as the GOAT though. Messi will still be considered a better player.

For many people he'll be, it's a question of taste and also the same narrative Cris is talking about here, "he'll drag a non traditional country to the ultimate glory".

 

[NYAS]

His aim wasn't that much about names, but tardition, but at teh same time he is making an unnecessary dig regarding his mates, worse when he says that Portugal won 3 titles with him.

PD: I ve read 2...but still that just not the point because it would depend on taste and in fact for some might be only Messi or not even him, others might include Martinez, Mac Allister or others, plus there is no final squad for the WC and like I've said before, teams won Cups, not names, names work if they play as a team, not the other way around, less in this type of competitions.

That goes without saying. The main point is that he can’t play the underdog card anymore.

 

[Fobal]

That goes without saying. The main point is that he can’t play the underdog card anymore.

You'll be surprise of the ammount of people that believe that Maradona played alone, or that mere names makes teams.

Regarding tradition? he can play it, even if it's not entirely true because at one point any WC champ didn't have a title and took quite a time. But here the main thing it's why the constant need of naming the other one directly or undirectly, or why on hell being the Captain not talking in a better manner of his own team now or in the past, without even needing to enhace it.
And the main reason might be that it seems that he just can't get himself out on any equation and the perception that he wants from the rest of the world have about him.

 

[NYAS]

You'll be surprise of the ammount of people that beleive that maradona played alone, or that mere names makes teams.

Regarding tradition? he can play it, even if it's not entirely true because at one point any WC champ didn't have a titlte and took quite a time. But here the main thing it's wahy the constant need of namingt the other one directly or undirectly, or why on hell being the Captain not talking ina better manner of his won team now or in the past, without even needing to enhace it. And the main reason might be that it seems that he just can't get himself out on any equation and the perception that he wants from rest of the world have about him.

Tradition plays a part, but not a bigger part than real-time factors such as quality of players or team cohesion. And not to the extent that it’s the main factor that wins or loses you the World Cup. If we believe that then we’re going to a really crazy place. But it’s part of his coping mechanism.

 

[FujiVice]

the same narrative Cris is talking about here, "he'll drag a non traditional country to the ultimate glory".

I wouldnt blame him totally for Greece winning the Euros in 2004. That's a bit harsh.

 

[Raul Madrid]

I watched the wc86 knockout rounds and Maradona was incredible imo. That said, I felt Argentina dominated matches. The only match I saw that I felt Maradona singlehandedly won was against England. England were dominating before he went on that incredible run and scored that great goal imo.

 

[Kwabs]

Club football is much much more televised than back in the day. The best players often played in their own countries so people were not even aware how good or average they were . If James Rodrigues did a world cup 2014 in 1970 he would be called a great despite not having done anything of note at club level.

I think you are confusing prestigious with important. The world cup in particular is the most prestigious tournament in the world but if i was to judge a player, it has to be firstly at club level because that is where consistency can be seen. Without success at club level, success at international tournaments doesn't mean much.
Ronaldo is one of the greatest Messi is a much better gootballer and for me that is where the comparison ends. There is a significan chasm in dribbling and playmaking.

First bolded part doesn't make sense. People played in their own countries, yes. So people in those countries knew how good they were. The fact that people in England or whatever didn't know doesn't mean that no one knew.

The James thing is another poor example. Name a player equivalent to James from 1970 who is an all time worldwide great?

The World Cup is more prestigious and more important. There is no confusion here. People talking about Diego Forlan or James Rodrigues do not understand the 'necessary not sufficient' paradigm in the context of calling someone the greatest footballer of all time. In the sense that performing well on that stage is necessary, but it is not sufficient.

They also do not understand that most GOAT candidates play in multiple World Cups and play well in multiple World Cups. Most reach 2 finals, even. Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Beckenbauer, Garrincha, R9 etc. And now Messi.

If Messi ended his WC career after 2018, you could not legitimately say he was a better player than Pele and Maradona. I mean, you could - but there would be a strong argument against it, in my view. Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, you could not legitimately say he had surpassed those two older legends. Fortunately, for him, it didn't. Now he sits alongside them at the very least.

Is that fair? For so much to hinge on 6 or 7 games? Well yes it is fair. Firstly, because it's not 6 or 7 games, it's more like 20 - 30 for a Messi or a Ronaldo In a World Cup career. That's quite a lot. You're mid throughout that entire time and it's not supposed to harm your case? The games when the entire world is watching? And I know Messi and Ronaldo were not 'mid' per se, but they were not what we saw for their clubs.

Also, everyone that came before them had to do it on that stage, in addition to being great for their clubs - without the modern advantages of billion euro squads and unfair TV deals.....

Anyway, this is not strictly on topic in this thread, so I end here.

 

[Fobal]

I watched the wc86 knockout rounds and Maradona was incredible imo. That said, I felt Argentina dominated matches. The only match I saw that I felt Maradona singlehandedly won was against England. England were dominating before he went on that incredible run and scored that great goal imo.

England didn't dominated that match, in fact the constant fouling against Diego was pretty much reminicent of that Italy 82 game. What happened after the first goal it's that they let them come a tad more, to actually counter with more space.

In any case that team played perfectly as a team and had in the subs, really talented fellas that they didn't even need to use. Bilardo basicly did what Scaloni (finally) did with Messi, create a core that protected him, that give him the ball with advantage as much as they can and no other fella that might dispute his leadership in terms of decision making. It's not the only path, but at times, more being an argie team, it's needed.
There was an old say in times of Di Stefano that claimed: "with one argie you have an excellent team, with two argies you have a great team with three argies..you have no team", of course it's not entirely true, but it paints an scenario that at times happenned, specially in the NT.

 

[Fobal]

We are really going out of Topic here, sorry SirAf

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

What’s the 1k countdown for?

 

[DarkLord1984]

What’s the 1k countdown for?

Ronaldo hitting 1,000 goals.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Ronaldo hitting 1,000 goals.

Thanks

Surprised as thought he had already scored that many

 

[El Jefe]

Getting the thousand goals is clearly on the cards, though it will take him a while. They won't win the WC IMO, but it's not out of the question.

But what if Messi reaches a thousand goals? That is also not out of the question. What then?

If Messi reaches 1k then he wrestles it back but out of those 3 variables, I think its the least likely. Ronaldo will get to 1000 goals injuries permitting and Portugal are one of the favourites for the WC.

Although Messi has largely been seen as the better/greater of the two, it wasn't until he won the World Cup that he truly put some distance between himself and Ronaldo. Obviously Ronaldo won't have a WC like Messi in 22 but winning it and being a vital contributor would make the conversation hot again.

Once you get to the level they are, greatness becomes a storytelling exercise.

 

[KingEric04]

some of the Portuguese teams he played for were excellent, and while the one that won the 2016 championship wasn’t great at all and he deserves praise for that, I find the suggestion that he’s been constantly playing with lesser quality players pretty ridiculous. Guy has been teammates with the likes of Figo, Pepe, Bruno, Ramos, Silva, Costa, Carvaliho etc. messi’s Argentina had some pretty average players playing for them over the years too alongside the better one

You would be surprised to see how bad were the tams that he played for in his prime. Let's just take a closer look at the Euro 2016 and the team that played in the final:

Rui Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Guerreiro, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Adrien Silva, Joao Mario, Nani, Ronaldo.

As you you can see only Ronaldo, Nani and Pepe were truly world class players. Nani was playing in Turkey and washed by that point and Pepe was a bench warmer in Madrid. A lot of them played in Portuguese league, two of them played for Southampton, 2 of them played in Turkey and one them played in Lorient.

Their midfield and the attackers were mostly lackluster during that time and playing with the players like Hugo Almeida, Eder, Raul Meireles, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Quaresma, Nuno Gomez etc. He never truly had a great squad until very recently.

After Figo, Pauleta, Rui costa and those players retired (their so called "golden generation), their teams were often lackluster and bang average.

And Argentina certainly didn't have "average" players. In his prime Messi had Tevez, Higuain, Aguero and Lavezzi in the attack, Di Maria and Mascherano in the midfield. It was sort of a squad where Aguero was a bench warmer.

If Messi reaches 1k then he wrestles it back but out of those 3 variables, I think its the least likely. Ronaldo will get to 1000 goals injuries permitting and Portugal are one of the favourites for the WC.

Although Messi has largely been seen as the better/greater of the two, it wasn't until he won the World Cup that he truly put some distance between himself and Ronaldo. Obviously Ronaldo won't have a WC like Messi in 22 but winning it and being a vital contributor would make the conversation hot again.

Once you get to the level they are, greatness becomes a storytelling exercise.

Argentina is the most decorated country in football. There's no comparison between Portugal and Argentina. That would be like demanding Lewa or Haaland to win the World Cup if they were in the GOAT conversation. Ronaldo already overachieved with Portugal given that they had 0 international finals before his debut, now they have 4 finals and 3 trophies.

Yes, Messi had a better international career with that World Cup but it's kind of pointless to compare them when the national teams weren't of similar quality unlike in their clubs.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

If Messi reaches 1k then he wrestles it back but out of those 3 variables, I think its the least likely. Ronaldo will get to 1000 goals injuries permitting and Portugal are one of the favourites for the WC.

Although Messi has largely been seen as the better/greater of the two, it wasn't until he won the World Cup that he truly put some distance between himself and Ronaldo. Obviously Ronaldo won't have a WC like Messi in 22 but winning it and being a vital contributor would make the conversation hot again.

Once you get to the level they are, greatness becomes a storytelling exercise.

It is fine because Messi is a level above him in career achievements and overall ability.

 

[El Jefe]

Argentina is the most decorated country in football. There's no comparison between Portugal and Argentina. That would be like demanding Lewa or Haaland to win the World Cup if they were in the GOAT conversation. Ronaldo already overachieved with Portugal given that they had 0 international finals before his debut, now they have 4 finals and 3 trophies.

Yes, Messi had a better international career with that World Cup but it's kind of pointless to compare them when the national teams weren't of similar quality unlike in their clubs.

In Ronaldo's time he's reached the final of the Euros twice, winning once, won two Nations League. Bringing up Haaland and Lewa already shows you're arguing in bad faith.

Let's also not pretend Argentina had the greatest squads. The only time Argentina had a star studded squad across the board was in WC 2006 when he was a teenager. Some of the other teams he had were world class in certain positions but absolutely barren in others.

My point was related to the upcoming WC where Portugal are absolutely one of the favourites and are a better team than Argentina.

 

[Irwin99]

You would be surprised to see how bad were the tams that he played for in his prime. Let's just take a closer look at the Euro 2016 and the team that played in the final:

Rui Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Guerreiro, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Adrien Silva, Joao Mario, Nani, Ronaldo.

As you you can see only Ronaldo, Nani and Pepe were truly world class players. Nani was playing in Turkey and washed by that point and Pepe was a bench warmer in Madrid. A lot of them played in Portuguese league, two of them played for Southampton, 2 of them played in Turkey and one them played in Lorient.

Their midfield and the attackers were mostly lackluster during that time and playing with the players like Hugo Almeida, Eder, Raul Meireles, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Quaresma, Nuno Gomez etc. He never truly had a great squad until very recently.

After Figo, Pauleta, Rui costa and those players retired (their so called "golden generation), their teams were often lackluster and bang average.

And Argentina certainly didn't have "average" players. In his prime Messi had Tevez, Higuain, Aguero and Lavezzi in the attack, Di Maria and Mascherano in the midfield. It was sort of a squad where Aguero was a bench warmer.

Argentina is the most decorated country in football. There's no comparison between Portugal and Argentina. That would be like demanding Lewa or Haaland to win the World Cup if they were in the GOAT conversation. Ronaldo already overachieved with Portugal given that they had 0 international finals before his debut, now they have 4 finals and 3 trophies.

Yes, Messi had a better international career with that World Cup but it's kind of pointless to compare them when the national teams weren't of similar quality unlike in their clubs.

I already used the example of the 2016 team in Ronaldo’s favour, to be fair though that was a bit of a crap tournament in which I think Wales got to the Semi finals with just two world class players IIRC? The 2004-2008 teams Ronaldo had were very very good, and this last 6 years or so the Portuguese team has had some exceptional players that I’ve mentioned.

If you look at Messi’s Argentina teams there are obviously some great players there, but come on, you look at the likes of an aging Otamendi, lo Celso, Palacious Marcus Acuna and they’re hardly world class are they?!

Both Portugal and Argentina have had good teams comprised of some real world class players and some workhorses but I don’t think the advantage in Messi’s favor is that much. Basically they’re two of the top 10-15 national teams in the world.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

Euro 2016 final starting XI:

Rui Patricio- Sporting
Cedric Soares- Southampton
Pepe- Real Madrid.
Jose Fonte- Southampton
Raphael Guerriro- Lorient
William Carvalho- Sporting
Adrien Silva- Sporting
Renato Sanchez- Benfica
Joao Mario- Sporting
Nani- Fenerbanche
Cristiano Ronaldo- Real Madrid

Look how bad this team was. Absolute dog sheite team. Nani was washed at this point as well. Only Ronaldo and Pepe were any really good players there.

2010 World Cup- Eduardo, Ricardo Costa, Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Tiago Mendes, Raul Meireles, Pepe (as a CM), Hugo Almeida, Simao Sambrosa, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sorry but these teams were awful.

You would be surprised to see how bad were the tams that he played for in his prime. Let's just take a closer look at the Euro 2016 and the team that played in the final:

Rui Patricio, Cedric, Pepe, Jose Fonte, Guerreiro, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Adrien Silva, Joao Mario, Nani, Ronaldo.

As you you can see only Ronaldo, Nani and Pepe were truly world class players. Nani was playing in Turkey and washed by that point and Pepe was a bench warmer in Madrid. A lot of them played in Portuguese league, two of them played for Southampton, 2 of them played in Turkey and one them played in Lorient.

Their midfield and the attackers were mostly lackluster during that time and playing with the players like Hugo Almeida, Eder, Raul Meireles, William Carvalho, Renato Sanchez, Quaresma, Nuno Gomez etc. He never truly had a great squad until very recently.

After Figo, Pauleta, Rui costa and those players retired (their so called "golden generation), their teams were often lackluster and bang average.

And Argentina certainly didn't have "average" players. In his prime Messi had Tevez, Higuain, Aguero and Lavezzi in the attack, Di Maria and Mascherano in the midfield. It was sort of a squad where Aguero was a bench warmer.

Argentina is the most decorated country in football. There's no comparison between Portugal and Argentina. That would be like demanding Lewa or Haaland to win the World Cup if they were in the GOAT conversation. Ronaldo already overachieved with Portugal given that they had 0 international finals before his debut, now they have 4 finals and 3 trophies.

Yes, Messi had a better international career with that World Cup but it's kind of pointless to compare them when the national teams weren't of similar quality unlike in their clubs.

Back for Round 2, folks...

 

[Gringo]

its almost as if national tournaments are cup competitions and you need a bit of luck

 

[Dve]

Here there is another subject that it's not precisly great, why one hell he downgrades the level of his past and current mates, even if it was the absolute truth (that it isn't).

Anyway the constant references in his career directly or undirectly towards Messi at this point with 40 years old, it's extremely silly beyind childish. At times he acts like an online fan. I really don't get it.

You forgot the part where he says he admires Trump and that they have a lot in common.

Both narcissists of another world.

 

[KingEric04]

In Ronaldo's time he's reached the final of the Euros twice, winning once, won two Nations League. Bringing up Haaland and Lewa already shows you're arguing in bad faith.

Let's also not pretend Argentina had the greatest squads. The only time Argentina had a star studded squad across the board was in WC 2006 when he was a teenager. Some of the other teams he had were world class in certain positions but absolutely barren in others.

My point was related to the upcoming WC where Portugal are absolutely one of the favourites and are a better team than Argentina.

Now it's easy to say that when Ronaldo overachieved with Portugal. But travel back to 2003 and you'll see that they had 1 world cup semifinal and 1 Euro semifinal in their entire history and zero international finals. We can try to look at the example of Haaland again. He's only 25 and let's say Norway start to regularly qualify for the big competitions and they might win the Euros and reach the semis of the World Cup. Does that mean that Haaland is comparable to another potential GOAT from Brazil or Argentina. Not really. It means that he overachieved with his national team, but that doesn't mean it was always expected from them to win the big trophies or even to be competitive. He (Haaland) made them relevant in the first place and he made them competitive in that case.

Now to be fair, Portugal was always much better than Norway and they weren't exactly a footballing minnow but they were never a football powerhouse, let's be honest. They had 1 great generation with Eusebio and one with Figo, but they became much more consistent and better once Ronaldo became a regular player for Portugal. If Mess didn't win the World Cup, it would be a much bigger failure for him because they are the most decorated NT in the world, while for Portugal and Ronaldo that's only going to be a plus. But for some reason everyone takes for granted Portugal and they forget who really made them relevant.

Now, to be honest they have a really good team and probably the best team since 2006 in my opinion. It's probably going to be their best chance to win the World Cup, but I wouldn't really agree that they are a better team than Argentina. Argentina has 2 Copas in a row and World Cup of course.

I already used the example of the 2016 team in Ronaldo’s favour, to be fair though that was a bit of a crap tournament in which I think Wales got to the Semi finals with just two world class players IIRC? The 2004-2008 teams Ronaldo had were very very good, and this last 6 years or so the Portuguese team has had some exceptional players that I’ve mentioned.

If you look at Messi’s Argentina teams there are obviously some great players there, but come on, you look at the likes of an aging Otamendi, lo Celso, Palacious Marcus Acuna and they’re hardly world class are they?!

Both Portugal and Argentina have had good teams comprised of some real world class players and some workhorses but I don’t think the advantage in Messi’s favor is that much. Basically they’re two of the top 10-15 national teams in the world.

In reality it was from 2004-06, I already said that they had a pretty good team there, but then Rui Costa, Figo and Pauleta retired from the national team. At the moment, they are probably very similar in terms of the quality but that was not the case for the majority of Messi's and Ronaldo's playing time. Though, Argentina has a momentum on their side because they are a reigning World Champion and they won two Copas in a row.

Back for Round 2, folks...

I'll repeat that a million times, if I have to because people aren't really listening.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

I'll repeat that a million times, if I have to because people aren't really listening.

Or maybe they just don't agree with your arguments?

 

[Fobal]

At the end of the day, the worse part of the interview it's that like 99% of those, the stuff that's have been said are pre arranged.

 

[FrankDrebin]

It's the final countdown !
Doo-bee-dee-doo
Dee-bee-dee-bee-dee.

 

[KingEric04]

Or maybe they just don't agree with your arguments?

Then they must be blind or they simply refuse to recognize the reality. There's no way that you can say that team was actually good on paper, because it clearly wasn't. I mean, do you think that they were a great team? Both of paper and quality wise?

 

[Joel Miller]

I love that Ronaldo’s official PR guy is listing a side that won a European final against France…more or less WITHOUT HIM….as an example of how crap his team is. That’s tremendous to be fair, that’s a special level of insanity; and this guy belittles people for “yapping”. By the way, Portugal have a great squad and could easily win the World Cup, but the chances of them doing it with Ronaldo producing a masterclass are slimmer than Peter Crouch I’d say, unless they get an unbelievably good draw. The funny thing is if they won it with Ronaldo benched for every game only to appear for the final 5 minutes, his cult would still use that to proclaim him the undisputed greatest.

And having now seen most of the interview, it’s such a poor look for him. He does say he doesn’t agree that Messi is better than him, so in spite of what his PR guy says, he’s indirectly saying he thinks he’s a superior player, or at least on that same level. He says Portugal doesn’t have a history of success but Argentina does, now if Piers was interviewing someone who he’s not sucking up to, he’d have followed that up by asking him if this assertion that his country hasn’t traditionally won major tournaments, means his club achievements with United, Juventus and Madrid in particular, are therefore somewhat diminished. Of course he wouldn’t because he’s there to blow smoke up his arse, but anyone with an iota of impartiality or dignity would have flagged that up. But the biggest takeaway from the whole interview is that Messi lives rent free in the guy’s head, and when he won that World Cup in Qatar, Ronnie’s brain short circuited and hasn’t been the same since.

It’s funny because I remember when he was in his late teens and early 20’s with United, he’d make a lot of egotistical remarks or boasts and my mate would call him out on, saying he should have more humility and what not. And I actually defended Ronaldo, saying he’s a young player and with the ability he has and how he was progressing having a bit of an ego wasn’t really a big deal because he’d mature and grow out of that sort of thing. Never for one second did I imagine he’d be even more a child 20 years later in his 40’s! I’ve never really seen that happen with a player before.

 

[DarkLord1984]

I love that Ronaldo’s official PR guy is listing a side that won a European final against France…more or less WITHOUT HIM….as an example of how crap his team is. That’s tremendous to be fair, that’s a special level of insanity; and this guy belittles people for “yapping”. By the way, Portugal have a great squad and could easily win the World Cup, but the chances of them doing it with Ronaldo producing a masterclass are slimmer than Peter Crouch I’d say, unless they get an unbelievably good draw. The funny thing is if they won it with Ronaldo benched for every game only to appear for the final 5 minutes, his cult would still use that to proclaim him the undisputed greatest.

And having now seen most of the interview, it’s such a poor look for him. He does say he doesn’t agree that Messi is better than him, so in spite of what his PR guy says, he’s indirectly saying he thinks he’s a superior player, or at least on that same level. He says Portugal doesn’t have a history of success but Argentina does, now if Piers was interviewing someone who he’s not sucking up to, he’d have followed that up by asking him if this assertion that his country hasn’t traditionally won major tournaments, means his club achievements with United, Juventus and Madrid in particular, are therefore somewhat diminished. Of course he wouldn’t because he’s there to blow smoke up his arse, but anyone with an iota of impartiality or dignity would have flagged that up. But the biggest takeaway from the whole interview is that Messi lives rent free in the guy’s head, and when he won that World Cup in Qatar, Ronnie’s brain short circuited and hasn’t been the same since.

It’s funny because I remember when he was in his late teens and early 20’s with United, he’d make a lot of egotistical remarks or boasts and my mate would call him out on, saying he should have more humility and what not. And I actually defended Ronaldo, saying he’s a young player and with the ability he has and how he was progressing having a bit of an ego wasn’t really a big deal because he’d mature and grow out of that sort of thing. Never for one second did I imagine he’d be even more a child 20 years later in his 40’s! I’ve never really seen that happen with a player before.

Agree with everything you're saying - especially the last paragraph. I really thought that when he returned to United he'd grown up and would be happy to accept a role as more of a bit part player, and be a real positive mentoring force in the dressing room for the young players.

How wrong & naive I was.

 

[Kwabs]

If Messi reaches 1k then he wrestles it back but out of those 3 variables, I think its the least likely. Ronaldo will get to 1000 goals injuries permitting and Portugal are one of the favourites for the WC.

I don't agree that it's the least likely at all. It's simply a case of if he wants to keep going. He could even go to a league that is easier than the MLS if he wants to.

On the other hand, Portugal are 6th favourites for the World Cup, and no one with their odds or longer has won the World Cup in the last 60 years (maybe ever - I don't know the odds beyond the 60s and 70s). And he's only got one chance left and he's 41. I'd say that's the least likely scenario, personally.

Although Messi has largely been seen as the better/greater of the two, it wasn't until he won the World Cup that he truly put some distance between himself and Ronaldo.

Probably true, in the grand scheme of things.

Obviously Ronaldo won't have a WC like Messi in 22 but winning it and being a vital contributor would make the conversation hot again.

Again, this would be true

Once you get to the level they are, greatness becomes a storytelling exercise.

Perhaps so, yes. So long as Messi has one and Ronaldo doesn't, that will always be a factor, no matter what excuses Ronaldo and his fans make about Portugal being the worst footballing nation in the world. So if they both had one, it would clearly he a completely different scenario.

 

[Dve]

Yes, it must be incredibly difficult - proven by the legendary goal machine Joshua King, a sprightly 33-year-old who has managed a whopping 9 goals in 8 matches… just one more than Ronaldo. If scoring were easy, King would probably be sitting on 20 goals by now. Minimum.

 

[Wand of a right foot]

If Messi reaches 1k then he wrestles it back but out of those 3 variables, I think its the least likely. Ronaldo will get to 1000 goals injuries permitting and Portugal are one of the favourites for the WC.

Although Messi has largely been seen as the better/greater of the two, it wasn't until he won the World Cup that he truly put some distance between himself and Ronaldo. Obviously Ronaldo won't have a WC like Messi in 22 but winning it and being a vital contributor would make the conversation hot again.

Once you get to the level they are, greatness becomes a storytelling exercise.

1000 goals do not matter because Messi's goal ratio is already superior, he has already won much more both individually and collectively and has always been the better allround footballer. Plus so many of those goals by Cristiano were penalties and a number in Saudi.

As for the world cup, Ronaldo has never been a POTT candidate let alone POTT winner and i don't expect this to change. Winning any tournament as the team's best player has a different vibe than just being one of the crowd.

But, ofcourse, his fan boys will always suggest otherwise.