Ronaldo says he is football’s most complete player

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is the most complete player in football history and dismissed talk about the race to 1,000 goals.

What Ronaldo said

Speaking to CNN Portugal, Ronaldo said people do not appreciate what he is doing now and focus instead on how many goals remain until 1,000. He said he does not like that approach, and that his career can unfold normally whether he finishes on 920, 925 or 930 goals. He also said reaching 1,000 would be “wonderful”, but added: “I am the greatest player in history. Full stop.”

The wider context

Ronaldo, 41, has scored 980 goals in total for club and country.

He also addressed comparisons with Lionel Messi, Pelé and Diego Maradona, saying preference is down to personal taste and should be respected. He rejected any suggestion that he is not a complete player, saying that would be a lie.

The Portugal forward left the national team camp after a row with head coach Jorge Jesus, and the Portuguese football federation later suspended him temporarily while it decides on his case.