I once played against Ronaldo—not Cristiano, but the original Brazilian Ronaldo, often affectionately called “R9.” Whether he was lean or heavier later in his career, Ronaldo was one of the finest players I ever faced. I used to believe he would be the one to immortalize the name Ronaldo in football history, just like Pelé. But then came Cristiano Ronaldo. And now, it seems that whenever people mention “Ronaldo,” they think first of Cristiano, not the Brazilian genius.
The year 2016 was nothing short of perfect for Cristiano Ronaldo. The boy from Madeira led Real Madrid to a Champions League title, then carried Portugal to an emotional and historic European Championship win. It was the ultimate reward for a year of tireless effort. His Ballon d’Or win was absolutely deserved. Some might question why it wasn’t Messi or Suárez. But let me explain—when it comes to being the most valuable player, the answer is crystal clear. Crickex Login statistics and performances prove that Ronaldo can single-handedly decide matches.
He plays for a legendary club like Real Madrid, but that doesn’t make the team invincible. In terms of pure collective strength, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been more balanced sides. Messi and Suárez, great as they are, rely heavily on teammates to create space and opportunities. Ronaldo doesn’t. He can do it all by himself. He’s versatile enough to play in any attacking position. Whenever Real Madrid or Portugal hit rough patches, Ronaldo often sparks a turnaround with moments of brilliance. No matter the opposition, he’s nearly unstoppable—his strength, speed, versatility, and intelligence are unmatched.
What makes him truly special is his work ethic. Unlike many naturally gifted athletes, Ronaldo never takes his talent for granted. He trains harder than anyone, spends countless hours in the gym, and constantly looks for ways to improve. That mindset sets him apart. Even in off days, he finds ways to lead his team to victory. Before Ronaldo, the only player I’d seen have such an influence on a team was Diego Maradona.
In my view, Maradona was the greatest footballer ever. Ironically, people today often compare Messi to Maradona. But I believe it’s Ronaldo who shares Maradona’s spirit and impact. Messi should be compared to Ronaldo, not the other way around.
When Ronaldo was just a skinny teenager, I was playing for Sporting Lisbon. Even then, you could see something exceptional in him. I later worked as a scout for Manchester United and regret that I never mentioned him to Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s one of my biggest regrets—I could have been the one to discover Cristiano Ronaldo. But I needn’t worry; Ferguson saw his potential right away. It was at the opening match of Alvalade Stadium, where Sporting played United. Ronaldo started that day and dominated. The deal was sealed immediately after.
United signed him for £10 million with an initial agreement to loan him back to Sporting for six months. But once Ferguson returned to England, he tore up the loan agreement. He knew Ronaldo had to be at Carrington right away. Under Ferguson’s guidance, Ronaldo learned how to be a professional. His five years at United were vital in shaping him into the global superstar he is today. Ferguson’s role in that transformation remains one of his proudest achievements.
Ronaldo and his family made the smartest decision of their lives by coming to United. I’m proud to say I’m a huge fan of his. For everything he did for Manchester United, I have nothing but respect. I would love to see him return to Old Trafford someday. His five years at the club brought three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one Champions League, one Club World Cup, and his first Ballon d’Or.
His £80 million move to Real Madrid gave United a £70 million profit and a mountain of silverware. At home, I have two young sons, aged seven and nine. To them, Cristiano Ronaldo is like a god. They copy his every move, wear shirts with his name, and talk about him constantly. Sure, they admire Messi, Suárez, Costa, Neymar, Griezmann, and Ibrahimović—but in their eyes, no one compares to Cristiano Ronaldo.