Cristiano Ronaldo could become the best player of all-time, says Real Madrid legend Raul

Real Madrid legend Raul has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to become the best all-time player

Madrid, Dec 12 (IANS) Former Spanish international striker Raul Gonzalez believes Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo could become the best footballer of all time.

"I think now he is at the top, and if he continues the same way, he could be the best of all time," the 37-year-old Raul told the BBC World Football show.

The New York cosmos striker also believes Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi are at par with Brazil great Pele and Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

"I think Cristiano and Lionel Messi are two of the best players in the history of the game. Are they better than Pele or Diego Maradona? They are at the top, but I think it is difficult in football to say who is first or second or third. But if Cristiano continues for five years..," the former Real Madrid striker said.

Ronaldo has scored 23 goals in 13 league games this season, and 281 goals in 267 games for Real Madrid, including 27 hat-tricks. The Portugal international had scored 17 goals in last season's Champions League, breaking the previous record of 14 held by Brazilian-Italian Jose Altafini and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo surpassed Raul's total of 71 Champions League goals in the 4-0 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad on Tuesday, and Raul expects his former Real teammate to break his all-time club record of 323 goals.

"I am sure Ronaldo will beat it and I will be happy for him," Raul said.