Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the greatest footballer of all time, saying his goal-scoring record deserves more recognition. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward made the remarks in an interview with CNN Portugal, excerpts of which were reported on October 12, 2026.
Ronaldo said people focus too much on how many goals he needs to reach 1,000 instead of appreciating his current performances. He insisted that even if he finishes his career with 920, 925 or 930 goals, he would still consider himself the best in football history.
The Portuguese star currently has 980 career goals for club and country, according to reports. Reaching 1,000 goals remains a personal target, but he said he prefers to focus on the present rather than plan too far ahead.
Ronaldo’s statement has renewed the long-running debate over football’s greatest player, with Lionel Messi, Pelé and Diego Maradona also widely regarded as leading contenders.
