Cristiano Ronaldo‘s self-proclamation as the greatest soccer player in history in early February has sparked a debate that continues to gain traction weeks later. Adding to the discussion, an Italian legend criticized Ronaldo’s bold claim and suggested that Lionel Messi — along with other iconic players — deserves the recognition instead.
Fabio Capello, one of the most successful managers of the 1990s and 2000s, famously led AC Milan to a UEFA Champions League title and coached Real Madrid’s star-studded “Los Galacticos” squad. In an interview with El Mundo, Capello dismissed Ronaldo’s self-proclaimed status, calling it “exaggerated.”
“When someone gives themselves that title, they set it for themselves. He’s done his homework, hasn’t listened to others, I think he’s exaggerated a bit — in short, he’s played both student and teacher, hasn’t he?” Capello remarked when asked about Ronaldo’s comments.
The Italian coach went further, claiming that Ronaldo doesn’t even belong in the debate over the greatest player of all time: “He’s an extraordinary player, built through determination and hard work, he’s very good. But when I talk about phenomenal players, I say Messi, Pele, Maradona — and alongside them, I put Ronaldo ‘El Gordo.’ But just a little below. And I mean just a hair below.”
Capello emphasized the difference between players who made a significant impact on soccer history and those whose talent and style left fans in awe, leaving Ronaldo in the first category.
Capello echoes Benzema’s view
The debate over soccer’s greatest player often revolves around the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pele. However, some who witnessed Ronaldo Nazario at his peak believe the Brazilian legend deserves to be part of the conversation without question.
This aligns with the comments made by Karim Benzema, a former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo. When asked about the debate, Benzema responded: “Everyone says what they want. If he thinks he’s the best ever… For me, for example, it’s Ronaldo (of Brazil). I don’t like to make comparisons between players; I think everyone has their own story, and he has his; he’s very good.”
Not only fans but also soccer legends like Capello and Benzema have endorsed Ronaldo Nazario as one of the greatest in history. As more voices weigh in on the subject, the debate over soccer’s true GOAT continues to grow — and shows no signs of slowing down.
