Tue Feb 04 20:51:31 UTC 2025: ## Ronaldo Declares Himself Greatest Soccer Scorer Ever on 40th Birthday

**MADRID, SPAIN** – Cristiano Ronaldo, on the eve of his 40th birthday, has boldly declared himself the greatest goal scorer in soccer history. In an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, the Portuguese superstar cited his impressive record of 923 career goals across 1,254 games as undeniable proof. This surpasses his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, who has scored 850 goals in 1,081 games.

While Ronaldo boasts the highest total goal count, Messi holds a slightly higher goals-per-game average. However, Ronaldo emphasized his all-around abilities, stating, “I am the most complete player who has ever existed. I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump… I have never seen anyone better than me.” He acknowledged the subjective nature of the “greatest ever” debate, respecting the achievements of players like Pelé and Maradona, but maintained his belief in his own unparalleled completeness.

Ronaldo’s accolades are undeniably impressive. He holds the record for most international goals (135 for Portugal), has won seven European league titles and five Champions League titles, and boasts five Ballon d’Or awards. He’s also the only player to score in five different World Cups. However, his lack of a World Cup victory remains a significant point of contention against his claim to be the absolute GOAT.

Messi, in contrast, holds the record for most Ballon d’Or awards (eight) and secured the coveted World Cup title with Argentina in 2022, a triumph many consider the ultimate validation of a player’s greatness.

Ultimately, the debate over who is the greatest soccer player of all time continues, with both Ronaldo and Messi presenting compelling, albeit different, arguments. The sheer number of goals scored by Ronaldo undeniably places him at the top in that specific category, but the ultimate title remains a matter of opinion and subjective evaluation of various achievements.

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