Looking at pure statistics and indices;
It is currently difficult to argue with anyone who thinks that Cristiano Ronaldo - the Portuguese national team - should now be considered the greatest player in football history, but there are some challenges ahead that may confirm or deny this.
Ronaldo, 36, became the most goal-scoring player at the international level, after reaching 111 goals with his international goals, thanks to the two goals he scored in his country's 2-1 victory over Ireland yesterday, Wednesday, in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar.
đź‘Źđź‘Ź Ronaldo surpasses Ali Daei - watch the historic goal of Cristiano Ronaldo # World Cup Qualifiers # Qatar_2022 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/8USskqKoKL
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 1, 2021
Yes, it took Ronaldo 180 games to break the record, more games than any player in the top ten scorers list, but his ability to achieve what he did at the age of 36 is another weapon in his favor when discussing who is the best.
Imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo scored all of these…🤯
pic.twitter.com/BARdOp988F
— Amaan.
(@amaanseven) September 1, 2021
Ronaldo's enthusiasm
"I am excited and have the strength to be able to play at my level for 3, 4, 5 years," Ronaldo told Sport.
The fact that he led Portugal to victory in overtime cannot be denied even after he missed a penalty in the first half.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to breaking the international goalscoring record đź—Ł
via @BeanymanSportspic.twitter.com/cHzFTX6wtV
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 1, 2021
FIFA tribute
Addressing Ronaldo, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "This achievement is a reward for an incredible career that lasted nearly two decades in representing your country at the highest levels. It speaks to your commitment and dedication to your art and your incredible passion for football."
"In the process of breaking the record for the most international goalscorer in the men's competition, you became not only a national champion, but an international icon and a role model for all aspiring players around the world. Your skills and your constant drive to improve deserve global acclaim."
đź’Ą He's done it!
🇵🇹 @Cristiano (110)
🇮🇷 Ali Daei (109)
🔥 A phenomenal run of 49 goals in his last 47 Portugal appearances makes the monster from Madeira the outright leading scorer in men's international history.
Take a bow, legend 🙇‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/WFO7XbuKr8
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 1, 2021
Euro 2016
Ronaldo's attractiveness increased after he was crowned with the weak Portuguese team in the European Nations Championship in 2016, but after Lionel Messi won a major championship with the Argentine national team "Copa America" ​​- last July - Ronaldo's fans cannot use the lack of international success as a stick to overcome Messi fans.
And if one of them eventually wins the World Cup in Qatar next year 2022;
This may help settle the debate.
Of course, Pele won the World Cup 3 times with the Brazilian national team, which is probably why he remains the greatest player.
At the same time, Diego Maradona won - almost by individual effort - the 1986 World Cup for the Argentine national team.
Individual awards can be considered, but the FIFA World Player of the Year award - which was previously combined with the Ballon d'Or, which was originally awarded to European players - makes this more complicated.
It's been two years since Ronaldo asked Messi out to dinner.
We're still waiting 🍽 (🎥 @ChampionsLeague) pic.twitter.com/vyxBalCg48
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2021
Club-level football has to come into the equation when we talk about the best.
Pele and Maradona achieved success with clubs in two different eras than now.
And what Messi has achieved with Barcelona - that is, winning 4 Champions League titles and 10 La Liga titles - is a wonderful thing.
If only he had stayed at the club, that could still be part of the discussion, but now for sure he has to win the biggest trophies with PSG too.
Imagine if a documentary about Cristiano Ronaldo ended like this pic.twitter.com/QxlKnqoZh0
— shweps (@fado_RMA) September 1, 2021
3 major leagues
Here there is a clear advantage for Ronaldo, as he has proven himself in many leagues and with different clubs;
He won the English Premier League, the Spanish League and the Italian League with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, and won the Champions League 5 times with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Now that United are back, Ronaldo can settle the debate over who is the best men's footballer of all time.
And if he manages to lead United to the Premier League title for the first time since 2013, it could be his greatest achievement.