Ronaldo snubs Ronaldo in list of football greats despite ‘original Ronaldo’ reference

Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo as he listed the greatest players in football history.

Ronaldo Nazario was discussing the upcoming World Cup in Qatar while talking with The Guardian following the release of his documentary, ‘The Phenomenon’.

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Asked about Argentina’s chances, the 46-year-old said he couldn’t back them due to their rivalry with Brazil, before being asked who was the best Argentine, Messi or Diego Maradona.

He said it was impossible to choose between them, before reeling off football’s greats, with one man conspicuous by his absence.

“That’s unfair,” he said. “I think there is a very, very special group where you have Diego, Messi, [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Pelé, [Marco] van Basten, Ronaldinho.

“I would include myself. Let the fans say, let them debate it in the bars. But you can’t rank them, can’t compare generations.

“People call me Original Ronaldo but, bloody hell, there were others – and they weren’t false. I’m not the only one and more will come along and be better than me, in everything.

“I did what I could, the best I could. I’m doing other things now, important things, and I want to keep improving myself. As a footballer I can’t do any more now.”

Ronaldo Nazario did mention Cristiano Ronaldo, likening him and Messi to compatriot Neymar.

“People love him a lot,” Ronaldo said of Neymar. “If we talk specifically about football, I doubt there’s anyone who doesn’t love him.

“His private life transcends football but I’m not interested. He’s daring, has skill, variety, is quick, scores goals, has personality.

“You could compare him to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even though they’re from a different planet. On the pitch Neymar is one [thing], then people mix in all the other stuff.”

Cristiano has been a hot topic in the last couple of weeks, dropped by Erik ten hag for the 1-1 draw with Chelsea having refused to come on as a subsitute against Spurs and storming down the Old Trafford tunnel.