Quite enjoyed that, decent football fix on a non-Euros night.
Ronaldo obviously has a huge ego, but I've always quite liked him, he's worked so hard to make himself one of the best in the world.
Roy Keane summed it up pretty well.
Messi is just a naturally gifted freak, but Ronaldo has got to where he has through sheer hard work and dedication. Obviously he had the talent but all the extra training, hours in the gym, never touching alcohol, always eating the right foods. Anything that can give him an edge and help prolong his career.
That's spot on. There was a time when Rooney was the better player, but the contrast in how they improved and played in their 30s is light and day.
Ronaldo's international record of 131 goals in 213 games is two all time great careers combined. Although he didn't signal handedly win a world cup like Maradona did in '86 or Garrincha in '62, he's surely the best ever.
He's way too dislikeable to be the best ever. Sayeth I (and a lot of others).
Also, is Jimmy Anderson the best cricketer ever? Or just a really really good one who sustained a high level for longer than anyone else?
Anderson is England's best ever fast bowler, but who's claiming he's the best ever? Botham imo is our best ever and there's a few around above him in the goat list. Being dislikable is irrelevant unless it's an OJ Simpson level crime.
I can't see it unless he significantly drops levels and carries on playing over the next 5 -6 years, he has scored 900 goals over 22 years as a professional footballer. That averages out 40 goals a season, if he maintained that rate he would do it in 2 and a half years so around 42. 900 is incredible achievement though.
Saudi is him dropping levels though. He plays for one of the best teams in a generally poor quality league and scores almost every game because the team is set up to get him chances.
Scored 50 last season, has 4 in 4 this season. If he can get similar again this year then he will be close to 950 goals and then will probably only need another one and a bit seasons more to reach 1000.
He's an absolute beast, and unless he has a career ending injury will play for another 4 or 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he makes the Euro 2028 squad, even if he's not starting games. 1000 career goals will be had, he's now 62 goals ahead of Messi and you can be certain he'll want to extend that as much as possible
He might hang on and try to go to the 2026 world cup but there's absolutely no chance at all he's still there for Euro 2028. He'd be 43 years old!
He's an absolute beast, and unless he has a career ending injury will play for another 4 or 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he makes the Euro 2028 squad, even if he's not starting games. 1000 career goals will be had, he's now 62 goals ahead of Messi and you can be certain he'll want to extend that as much as possible
He might hang on and try to go to the 2026 world cup but there's absolutely no chance at all he's still there for Euro 2028. He'd be 43 years old and still shooting from every single free kick within a 75 yard radius of the opposition goal.
He's an absolute beast, and unless he has a career ending injury will play for another 4 or 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he makes the Euro 2028 squad, even if he's not starting games. 1000 career goals will be had, he's now 62 goals ahead of Messi and you can be certain he'll want to extend that as much as possible
He might hang on and try to go to the 2026 world cup but there's absolutely no chance at all he's still there for Euro 2028. He'd be 43 years old!
Pepe played in the Euros this year aged 41 so although unlikely it’s not impossible.
Unless the manager makes the decision for him, i think he'll retire from international football after the 2026 World cup.
As for overall i think once he gets to 1,000 goals he won't stick around too much longer. I don't think he has many other targets to achieve and that seems to be the last one he's aiming for.
He's an absolute beast, and unless he has a career ending injury will play for another 4 or 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he makes the Euro 2028 squad, even if he's not starting games. 1000 career goals will be had, he's now 62 goals ahead of Messi and you can be certain he'll want to extend that as much as possible
He might hang on and try to go to the 2026 world cup but there's absolutely no chance at all he's still there for Euro 2028. He'd be 43 years old!
With his conditioning, I honestly won't be surprised if he's still playing at 43, especially back in Portugal, I notice his boyhood club Nacional have just been re-promoted to the top flight. I don't think he'll retire from international football until he retires from all football, it will be more if they pick him or not
He's an absolute beast, and unless he has a career ending injury will play for another 4 or 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he makes the Euro 2028 squad, even if he's not starting games. 1000 career goals will be had, he's now 62 goals ahead of Messi and you can be certain he'll want to extend that as much as possible
He might hang on and try to go to the 2026 world cup but there's absolutely no chance at all he's still there for Euro 2028. He'd be 43 years old!
Pepe played in the Euros this year aged 41 so although unlikely it’s not impossible.
Pepe deserved his starting place this summer, I'm not sure Ronaldo does now.
Comments
Scored 50 last season, has 4 in 4 this season. If he can get similar again this year then he will be close to 950 goals and then will probably only need another one and a bit seasons more to reach 1000.
As for overall i think once he gets to 1,000 goals he won't stick around too much longer. I don't think he has many other targets to achieve and that seems to be the last one he's aiming for.