Brazilian legend Ronaldo has revealed his list of the greatest footballers in history – and it doesn’t include Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Manchester United star has had a turbulent period recently after he refused to come on for the Red Devils against Spurs and was subsequently sent to train with the U21 squad.
And things aren’t getting any better for the Portuguese forward, after his namesake – Ronaldo Nazario – excluded him from his list of football greats.
Speaking to The Guardian, the Brazilian icon was asked who was greater out of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, to which he replied: ‘That’s unfair. I think there is a very, very special group where you have Diego, Messi, [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Pelé, [Marco] van Basten, Ronaldinho.’
‘Iwould include myself. Let the fans say, let them debate it in the bars. But you can’t rank them, can’t compare generations.’
The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker also spoke on PSG star Neymar and insisted his compatriot’s personal life has influenced his perception on the pitch.
Ronaldo said: ‘People love him a lot. If we talk specifically about football, I doubt there’s anyone who doesn’t love him.’His private life transcends football but I’m not interested. He’s daring, has skill, variety, is quick, scores goals, has personality.
‘You could compare him to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even though they’re from a different planet. On the pitch Neymar is one [thing], then people mix in all the other stuff.’
It’s the latest hit that the Portuguese Ronaldo has taken given his difficult week at Manchester United.
Today, Erik ten Hag will hold clear-the-air talks with Ronaldo in the hope of drawing a line under his fall-out with the Manchester United star.
The 37-year-old was banished from first-team training and axed from the squad for after refusing to come on as a substitute in last week’s win over Tottenham and then leaving Old Trafford before full-time.
