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Football has seen a massive transformation in the last two decades, but one thing that remains very appreciative is the talent of players. But as far as talents go, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima will forever be remembered as one of the greatest men to ever play football.
Currently 42 years old, some millennials may not have seen enough of the Brazilian wizard. That is why many often settle for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when it comes to picking their best players of all time.
This has been the most dominant debate for the better part of the last decade, however, Ronaldo (the Brazilian) stands as a better player than both Cristiano and Messi when things are taken into perspective.
The former Inter Milan and Barcelona star was the perfect example of a complete player, with his striking instincts second to none. He was the kind of player who dominated both at club and international level and, but for injuries, would have gone on to achieve even more.
Below are four solid reasons why Ronaldo was a better player than Cristiano and Messi will ever be:
#4 He won the FIFA Best Player at age 20
Many football fans of today very much admire the talent of France star Kylian Mbape, but it’s fair to say the PSG forward is not even half the player Ronaldo was at his age. While many talented footballers strive to win the Golden Boy award in their teenage years and early 20s, the Brazilian was already lifting the FIFA Best Player award at such tender age.
At the age of 20, Ronaldo was already the best player in the world. That is obviously rare these days, and not even the impeccable Messi and Cristiano can boast of such a feat. In 1996, Ronaldo was voted FIFA Best Player. He again won the prestigious individual award in 1997, before winning it for the third time in 2002.
By contrast, Messi won his first FIFA Best Player award at the age of 22, while Cristiano won his first at 23. It is clear that Ronaldo was miles ahead of the duo and had he remained fit, there is no doubt he would have monopolized the award.
#3 He dominated world football as a teenager
It would be totally erroneous to say Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t show enough brilliance in their teenage years. In fact, the superstar duo was always destined to rule world football. However, their collective impact was nothing compared to a teenage Ronaldo.
The Brazilians defined striking with his pace, trickery and eye for goal. At 17, he was selected in the Brazil squad for the 1994 World Cup. This was after he scored an astonishing 12 goals in 14 games in his debut season for Corinthians in the Brazilian top flight. Although he did not make a single appearance at the ’94 World Cup, it was clear that he was more than just potential.
Ronaldo was neither overawed by the challenge of playing in Europe and went on to feature for PSV, Barcelona and Inter Milan – all before he turned 21. In other words, as a teenager he had already dominated in the Dutch, Spanish and Italian leagues. Beat that Ronaldo and Messi!
#2 He won two World Cups
Unlike many strikers of today, Ronaldo was not just a goal scorer, he was a complete footballer. And one thing he holds over Cristiano and Messi is his impact in the World Cup. The Brazilian won two World Cups, which could have been three had he not fallen ill before the 1998 final against France.
Ronaldo was part of a great Brazil team, featuring the likes of Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. However, he stood out anytime he was on the pitch. He was the team’s go-to man in the major tournaments and he always delivered too. Prior to the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo had been injured for the previous three years, yet he returned with aplomb, scoring eight goals to lead his nation to the ultimate.
At the end of his career, he scored a whopping 15 World Cup goals – a record which stood until it was broken in 2014 by Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Messi and Cristiano may be dominating football now, but they’ve never quite had the world at their feet as Ronaldo did in his prime.
#1 He had more competition but still came out on top
For the better part of the last decade, football has been all about the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. However, that was not the case prior to the emergence of the superstar duo. Ronaldo had it tougher, with a lot more talented players laying claim to the World Best Player award.
The likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Dennis Bergkamp, Davor Suker, Raul Gonzalez, David Beckham and Ronaldinho, amongst others, were all on top of their game. Now that’s some list to have as competition, yet anytime Ronaldo was fully fit, he was a level above each of them.
To be injured for close to three years and still return to win the FIFA Best Player award typifies the kind of special talent Ronaldo was. Messi and Cristiano have had it easier with the two players having no other contenders to step forward. Ronaldo had more competition but still came out tops.
