"I don't agree that he's the best," Brazilian Ronaldo tackles Cristiano Ronaldo

Modern football history has two Ronaldos. The first, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, "Il Fenomeno", now 48 years old, holds a Brazilian passport. He notably won 2 Ballons d'Or in 1997 and 2002 and as many World Cups (in 1994 where he did not play a minute, then in 2002). The second, the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo , 40 years old, is extending the pleasure in Saudi Arabia under the Al-Nassr jersey after having notably made the big nights of Real Madrid where he, in particular, enriched his trophy cabinet with 4 Champions Leagues (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)

With an oversized ego, the Portuguese striker did not hesitate, a few weeks ago, to proclaim himself the best player in the world. Asked to comment on this assertion, in an interview for ESPN, his Brazilian elder initially seemed somewhat embarrassed. "I don't like to get into these things. People have great self-esteem," he observes. "I prefer that people talk like that about my performances, about what I was... and that I don't have to talk about myself."

The former star striker of the Seleção (62 goals in 98 caps) was not short of praise for his namesake. "He has done wonderful things, scored goals in all manner of ways while changing positions," he explained. "He went from left winger to central striker. He is certainly one of the best in history, he is easily in the top 10. Even if I respect his opinion, I do not agree that he is the best."

For the record, the five-time Portuguese Ballon d'Or winner stated in explicit terms a few weeks ago that he was without equal. "I do everything in football. I head well, I take set pieces well, I shoot well with my left foot, I'm fast, I'm strong, I jump. The best in history is me. Period," CR 7, aged 40, assured at the beginning of the month on the Spanish show El Chiringuito.

Asked about this a few days ago, Karim Benzema expressed a strong opinion on the matter. "Everyone says what they want. If they think they are the best in history, that's their opinion. For me, for example, the best is Ronaldo, the Brazilian," Benzema stressed, interviewed by the Brazilian channel TNT Sports , who has never made a secret of his admiration for the former Auriverde international and double Ballon d'Or winner (1997, 2002). Cristiano is what he is. I don't like comparisons between players, everyone has their own story. (Cristiano) has his, and it's a very good one."