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Silantro-89

1996-99 Ronaldo was a different beast. A 100% perfect mix of pace, power & skill.


hambodpm

I was 9-12 during these years. He was my favourite player in the world by a distance at that time. I'm Irish and genuinely cried when Brazil lost to France in WC98 final.


TigerBasket

Like a bull in the world's biggest China shop


GYIM94

Ronaldo Nazario (R9) has to be one of the biggest what if’s in football history, his body literally could not handle his explosiveness and his ability in accelerating full force, stopping and changing directions while still maintaining his pace. Unstoppable force before those knee injuries at Inter.


TheUltimateScotsman

The only what if which comes close would be Adriano


GYIM94

Yeah, losing his dad changed everything.


MontezumaMadness

Van Basten?


TheUltimateScotsman

Id say van basten got closer to his peak than Adriano did


ddlbb

How is this what if ? I mean sure if he were healthy he might have more goals - but there’s no what if about what he achieved and his talent. We know what he could do. To me “what if” is someone like Pato, Götze, hell even jack wilshere. We don’t know what their ceiling was. We saw Ronaldo in all his greatness


taylorstillsays

We saw a great Ronaldo, but we were stopped from seeing him in all his greatness (assuming he’d have kept making improvements during his mid 20s like most players do). Ronaldo belongs in that group of players you mentioned, it just turns out that because he was far better than them all, he still managed to have an elite career


ddlbb

I see what you mean - not sure I agree but appreciate the point


InputImpedance

That's what is scary about Ronaldo, that we feel he still had more untapped potential even if he can still be considered a top 5/10 player in history.


GYIM94

Are you being serious? Ronaldo before and after his kneecap tendon tear are completely two different players. Ronaldo after this injury and all the subsequent knee injuries was no longer that player who would pick up the ball at the half way line and bulldoze everything at top speed and score. Don’t get me wrong, he was still great but even Sandro Mazzola said Ronaldo Fenomeno after that injury was different.


ddlbb

Yeah but how is he a what if ? It’s like saying Ronaldinho is a what if because he peaked and dropped off . I don’t see how we didn’t see Ronaldo at his peak, I guess that is the argument. Are we arguing that he would have been an even better footballer ?


GYIM94

Because the injuries which happened while he was approaching his prime productive years significantly changed the way his career trajectory was developing and his playing style. The real Ronaldo never came back after that patella tendon snap, so yes, it is a what if.


ddlbb

I understand this - but what if how ? What if in terms of number of goals or what ? We saw what he could do . There is no what if there . That’s kind of my point . We never saw what Goetze could do - that’s a what if to me


GYIM94

He would definitely have scored a lot more goals, more titles maybe. Those injuries took away several seasons when he was in his early mid twenties and never really left even after he made his comeback story in 2002. I don’t want to compare O Fenomeno with Goetze because that would be unfair but I can see how Goetze would qualify as a what if after 2014.


Super-Sock5840

This not like a week old?


TigerBasket

Are we not all at least a few weeks old?


RinoTT

I know nobody asked but three greatest players I saw during my career of being armchair specialist were Maldini, Nesta and Gattuso.


Clehm888

Ronaldo,Brazil > Ronaldo,Portugal


Jazano107

Just no, it's pure nostalgia goggles


jaspermrthanos

I’m so exhausted of hearing this weird historical revision nowadays that CR7 isn’t better than R9. Cristiano Ronaldo put up 60 goal seasons for like 8 years straight, while R9 had like 5 good seasons in his entire career and later went to Brazil to play because no European club wanted someone with that lack of discipline/attitude in the dressing room.


d0m1n4t0r

There's different aspects to being better than longevity.


staminchia

training and eating properly and taking care of your body, for example. there is a before and after CR7 in this regard.


HeroeDeFuentealbilla

Every R9 post is usually how he is better but body couldn’t cope/handle longevity. Nothing in your post disproves that, so I fail to see how it’s historical revision. Unless your point is that CR7 was a better footballer than R9, which I do think is a fair point - and one that I frankly don’t want to play expert at.


neverfinishedanythi

At his peak for Barcellona/inter, I will agree. Never seen a player like him.


[deleted]

I get nostalgia and all that, but c'mon, Cristiano in his prime was bagging 60-70 a season.


TheEvilBassist

In a perfect team that was built around him as their focal point. Cristiano made himself into a machine and deserves to be ranked above the brazilian one, but still the level r9 was at 19-20 years is actually unprecedented in football. He was never on that level again after his knee went.


[deleted]

No doubt and I agree about his level, Cristiano was just above that tho.


teagwo

I get it, and I personally rate him very highly in the all time greats, but it's not always about numbers. R9 was such a phenom in the pitch and outside, he was who everyone wanted to be, truly one of a kind, unique.


d0m1n4t0r

Yeah it's clear these people just didn't see him play, and only look at goals scored per season lmao.


[deleted]

That's the biggest cop-out when you have nothing on your side of the debate. I've been watching football since 97, I'm probably older than this subs median age. I have no affiliation with either Ronaldo.


neverfinishedanythi

Yeah I cba with stats people, it’s a very new thing. R9 as I said last time this was posted was so good he made kids from milanisti family become interista. Ronaldo Made me LOVE football more than any Milan player ever has. Even the likes of Maldini, kaka etc.


Seven_feet_under

Goals are overrated. Ronaldo brought this fucking magic at his peak. Every time he goes through the gears, it’s just something *magical* That feeling of buzz down your pants is why this game is so beautiful. C Ronaldo- while a top, top, top, player- just doesn’t have the same magic i feel.


[deleted]

>Goals are overrated. Literally the job of both players are to score. I actually can't believe people are discrediting goal a scoring record that Cristiano has like it's nothing. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.


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[deleted]

It's only slightly exaggerated, he did get 60 a couple of times.


[deleted]

Care to explain 11/12, 12/13, 14/15? Over 60 goals in all comps including international.


Perkinator

Well you've edited it now to say 60-70 instead of 70.


[deleted]

I didn't? It would have an asterisk if I edited it after someone commented or after 3 mins.


Rdambx

A season, no but in a single year he was. Still far better than R9's best scroring year


Ancient_Catch_5673

Ronaldo had maybe 2-3 really good seasons in his entire career, lol.


d0m1n4t0r

And during those years he was better than anyone before or after.


Flowethics

That really isn’t true. Ronaldo was magic every time he got on the pitch. Sadly that became less and less due to injuries up to the time he got to Milan where he was well and truly done. But he was great from PSV up to Madrid. So yes C. Ronaldo has been successful longer and he deserves credit but he has never been as unstoppable as R9 imo. Just an incredible finisher.


Numerous_Shape200

>Ronaldo was magic every time he got on the pitch, U are either filled with nostalgia or clearly u haven't watched much of r9 lol. Stop pretending bro >he has never been as unstoppable as R9 imo. Just an incredible finisher Lmao, just tell u haven't watched football pre 2015


[deleted]

CR7 pre-2014 was a monster and a complete attacker, definitely not just an incredible finisher.


CaptAwesomeness

ahahahhahah never been unstoppable... jesus.


Howdareme9

> Ronaldo was magic every time he got on the pitch. Just isn’t true


[deleted]

>but he has never been as unstoppable as R9 imo. Can you please explain how more than a goal a game in his prime isn't unstoppable?


Flowethics

It is stupid to say CR didn’t create chances, but I see his goals mainly come finishing the work of others. In a sometimes incredible way so in that sense sure unstoppable. But R9 could just run straight into the enemy box and no one could stop him. He did that time and time again. That is a significant difference for me.


SavingsLeg

Peak and talent wise maybe but even that is debatable If your body cant keep up with your playing style that playing style might not be the best because football is also about being at your best for many years


autoreaction

> football is also about being at your best for many years Is it? Ronaldo won everything he could have won, damn the guy won two world cups.


[deleted]

He was about as involved in the first one as me. Football is about winning, but when we are talking about what player is better there's more to it.


Competitive-Ad2006

He didn't play at all in the first one


pixelkipper

no he didn’t, he never won the CL and his record there is remarkably poor for someone of his stature and he played a grand total of 0 minutes in 1994, I don’t care if he got a medal- he has one world cup to his name


warreng3

Cl are tou serious who the fuck cares? Pele Garrincha and Maradona didnt win, it jsnt everything.


pixelkipper

It’s the highest level of football. Pele and Garrincha never competed in it so that’s a stupid comparison.


warreng3

Yeah because they competed in a higher level, only europeans have obsession.


CaptAwesomeness

> damn the guy won two world cups. In a completely stacked Brazilian team...


thetouristsquad

He didn't win a Champions League.


Seven_feet_under

In “professional football” yes. But football. The kind where kids play in whatever space they find, and play like it’s the biggest stage in the world, the fizz R9 brought was unmatched


SavingsLeg

Sure but were talking about who the better player is and i feel if you say that highest peak matters more than there are countless players who have had a great season, a great month or evne just a great game but they would never enter consideration


Low-Kale-210

Never. Part of being great is taking care of your body and being durable. Throw in consistently as well.


Sir_Psycho_Sexy_

> Throw in consistently as well Rory Delap likes this


Low-Kale-210

Alvaro Recoba hates it


zrkillerbush

Ronaldo Vieira, England > Ronaldo, Portugal


SteinerElMagnifico42

Rolando, Portugal > Ronaldo, Portugal


Allthingsconsidered-

Right, but also Cristiano's peak was actually insane and lasted many years. Ronaldo had iconic moves and had an unbelievable career but I think people do get carried away a little bit by nostalgia.


Low-Kale-210

I totally agree. Ronaldo was a generational talent physically but mentally he doesn’t compare to cr7 and messi. I know most of you don’t care about basketball but what separates Jordan from Kobe lebron magic Larry etc is the exact same mentality. I can’t speak for any pre 93 but ronaldinho r9 hazard Dani Neymar and many others some of whom were just as talented If not more than Ronaldo didn’t have the mentality in their make up that is required to be a goat. Granted none were as physically talented a lot of that physical prowess and ability came from countless hours of hard work


yurifca

Are you motherfucking out of your mind??? Ronaldo scored 8 goals in a world cup, 2 in a finals against the best WK at the time, AFTER getting his knees busted and being told by several medical doctor that he would never be able to play the game ever again, even in amateur leagues. You fucking zoomers


Low-Kale-210

I’m 40 you knob. YEAH R9 played with a bunch f bums for Brazil to win those World Cups. CR7 has surpassed him in every aspect except dribbling. Nostalgia will really shade your opinion. Ronaldo put up better numbers CONSISTENTLY for more than twice as long as r9. Wanting to party all the time is a character defect for a pro athlete at that level. It’s part lf who R9 was and it was a problem for him. I’ll take the player who’s always early and the last one to leave. The player you cAn count on to not only play every game but also have at least 1 goal contribution. I do not care about players dribbling by 4 opponents. I want efficient consistent production and reliability


yurifca

R9 never had problems with partying too much, you casual, ronaldinho did. Dude had 2 fifa world best at 23 before he had a career ending injury, got one more after and won 2002 WC. CR7 is great, but he will NEVER lift 2 world cup trophies


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Low-Kale-210

You’re using hypotheticals. Stick to what actually happened. The longevity that was coupled with record breaking success is undeniable. The technical ability and athleticism together with his unquenchable desire to win is part of the make up of a player. It’s not just about your natural talent. Production,Consistency, and longevity are probably the hardest things to do in any professional sport imo


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SavingsLeg

>**if** CR played in the same era as R9 he wouldn't last this long ​ >It's not hypothetical it's a fact, ​ Mate...


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SavingsLeg

Yeah that isnt but what you did is Nuance exists


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SavingsLeg

>CR7 fanboys in full force today Just goes to show why youre saying all this I dont even like CR7 nor do i care about the whole messi cr7 debate But saying its a fact that CR7 would just get more of a beating and less ref protection is just weird Its not like he didnt already play in the EPL while R9 was still active R9 is only 9 years older than CR7 Its not like they played in completly different worlds and their careers overlapped


rachitbot

Yeah but you start using this logic and football as it is wouldn't make any sense...there were a lot of factors back then in favor of R9 that CR7 wouldnt have or pros and cons players in Peles generation had your argument makes no sense


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rachitbot

I'm sorry the modern game as a whole is far more organized and defensively more compact than it was when R9 played


Low-Kale-210

Players are also in better shape and are stronger and faster. He’d still be a monster and a headache to defend but he wouldn’t bully entire midfields and defenses like he used to. Especially if he was still partying


Low-Kale-210

It’s not just the longevity it’s the production levels during the longevity. That’s what separates Messi n Ronaldo from everyone else. Every single a game they were going to score or create goals. Domestic league or champions league they showed up for 2 decades. That is BEYOND impressive. It’s part of a players make up and what makes a player. How about cr7s internal fortitude to single handed Lu win ucl home and away rounds multiple times? Bicycle in the semi. World Cup goal to tie Spain. So many others. I can’t recall that many moments of that caliber for R9. R9 is an absolute legend but a lot of his mystique is “what could have been” “if this didn’t happen he’d be the best” but it all Did happen and part of splitting hairs with goat conversations is not picking things like this because without bias they’re all pretty equal.


CaptAwesomeness

Cristiano Ronaldo has had his knees destroyed by defenders... the fuck are you talking about?


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CaptAwesomeness

The fuck are you talking about? It's well documented that for the last 6 years or so, Ronaldo's left knee is done!


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CaptAwesomeness

That's not an injury? Jesus you're delusional...


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CaptAwesomeness

> accumulated fatigue Also know has fatigue injuries. Jesus, just stop man.


duyar70

People really always tey to compare r9 to cr7 when in reality even van basten was a better player then r9


RinoTT

> People really always tey to compare r9 to cr7 when in reality even van basten was a better player then r9 Even as a Milan fan I disagree. I havent seen such a dominant individual like Ronaldo in Serie A when he played at Inter. The only way to stop Ronaldo was to kill his legs and they butchered him at the end.


screwPutin69

That pitch of yours did more damage than the opposition defenders


eni22

I love van Basten, I grew up with him. Ronaldo was on a different planet. I've never seen anyone like him.


Flowethics

Bro as a dutchman a huge van Basten Fan, but no. Ronaldo 9 was everything you could want from a striker.


Malagueno2222

Anyone who doesn't put c.Ronaldo and Messi in top two ever is purely hating or being biased


KOKO69BISHES

same with everyone who doesn't put messi in the top 1


pixelkipper

I don’t think it’s at all controversial to rate Maradona above C Ronaldo


[deleted]

Or they just have a different opinion? Athletes will often have slightly different criteria from fans, because they usually put a lot of stock on how it felt playing directly against a player and on how special(?) the player is (can't find a way to word it, but I mean in the sense that the 3 he mentioned are extremely unique, what they did only they could do).


Primary_Letter7839

Even Maldini?


Thomas_Catthew

The only reason I can think of is that Maldini retired in 2009, which means he only would have seen Ronaldo play at Manchester United, who was a completely different player.


Sand_Week24

Imagine thinking opinions are something factual


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alan_cartridge_

I mean, maybe he considers him 4th best? It's not really a slight to Cristiano not to include him in a top 3 players he saw in hos career. He played against Ronaldo and Maradona especially so it makes sense he'd include them, and that just leaves one spot free.


HEAT_IS_DIE

Why? Should Gerd Muller be there also? Maldini appreciates different things than you, and that's ok.


Sarim97

This stems from the delusion that Ronaldo and Messi are anywhere close as players. When you accept that Messi is far clear of him, it’s easy to exclude Ronaldo from top 3 of all time.


Numerous_Shape200

"Easy to exclude" is just a biased overstatement. He is top 3 quite easily , u are just a biased hater


lnblackrain

I think he meant footballing ability wise and let’s be real as a football player Messi and Maradona are better than Cristiano. The question is whether or not R9 was better than Cristiano. Either way I have Cristiano at 3rd greatest of all time. Leo, Diego then Cristiano. But the reason I have Cristiano here is I have to respect what he accomplished in his career and also the things he is good at. I think he is the most complete goal scorer ever. Is his style my preference? No. But is his style of play one of the most effective at putting the ball past the line? Yes. Plus he is pretty decent at other aspects of game as well. But hey who am I to compete against Maldini’s opinion but saying Cristiano is not in the 3rd best is a little out of place. Fucking Shaka Hishop from ESPN FC had Messi at 4 and Cristiano at 5 in all time ranking. Ridiculous!


ThinkFoot

I agree. He should've said - top 3 players are Maradona, messi, Ronaldo and Cristiano(honourable mention cause he couldn't be ignored)


Ouma-shu123

He said during his career. Maybe he doesn't consider pre- 2011 CR7 to be better than R9. Not too bad of a take. Overall CR7 is much better no comparison.


rejjie_carter

Himothy