Cristiano Ronaldo said it bluntly: “I’m the greatest of all time, without a doubt”.
The quote came from a 2025 interview with CNN Portugal that the channel itself removed from its website just hours later, according to TV Azteca, because the information was outdated. But it was already too late: The Athletic had republished it, and the interview began circulating around the world again.
The interview’s resurfacing comes at the worst possible time for Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo: the Portuguese federation sanctioned him after he left Portugal’s camp in the middle of the FIFA international break. In that same conversation, he said that “people don’t appreciate my form or my goals” and described himself as “the most complete player”. He was more measured about those who prefer Messi, Pelé or Maradona: “It’s a matter of taste. I respect that”.
And on his big goal, reaching 1.000 goals, he said: “The numbers speak for themselves. If I reach 1.000 goals, it will be incredible, an objective, but I don’t think long term”. With five Champions League titles, five Ballons d’Or and 140 goals in Europe’s top competition, Ronaldo is still fueling the GOAT debate at almost 41.