Ronaldo Nazario has overlooked Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo when discussing the greatest players of all time (GOAT).
The Brazilian legend referred to a “special group” comprising some of the finest players in the history of the game, yet did not include the five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.
It’s worth noting that CR7 is currently enjoying a remarkable run of form in Saudi Arabia, having scored nine goals in just six games for Al-Nassr in the ongoing Saudi Pro League.
With his ninth goal of the current season, Ronaldo has now accumulated a total of 33 goals in the year 2023.
Among these, 14 were netted in the SPL during the previous season, six during the Arab Lub Champions Cup, and eight in the current term.
The Real Madrid legend also contributed five goals for Portugal in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers, according to Transfermarkt.
The former Manchester United superstar has also assisted seven goals in 2023.
He has a total of 41 goals plus assists in 2023 in 39 games, which is an incredible milestone for a player his age. That number will go up before the year ends.
Ronaldo Nazario snubs Cristiano in his GOAT list
Ronaldo Nazario, commonly known as the Brazilian Ronaldo, identified eight players whom he considers to belong to a truly exceptional group among the all-time greatest players.
Notably, Cristiano did not make that list.
He told the Guardian in 2022:
“I think there is a very, very special group where you have Diego, Messi, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Pelé, 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.”
Who Zinedine Zidane picked between Messi and Ronaldo in GOAT debate
It truly is an exclusive and remarkable assembly featuring Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Pele, Marco van Basten, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo Nazario himself.
While there is no disputing the players Ronaldo selected, there are some significant omissions in his list.
The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo is particularly surprising.
Notably, players such as Michel Platini, Alfredo Di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane, George Best, and Ferenc Puskas may understandably feel overlooked.
Ronaldo, Talisca brace secures victory against Al Ahli
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the legendary Portuguese footballer and Anderson Talisca each netted twice as Al-Nassr emerged victorious in an enthralling seven-goal clash against Al-Ahli on Friday night.
Luis Castro’s squad got off to a swift start, with the ex-Man United star, despite obscured vision due to smoke from flares, slotting home a low shot into the bottom left corner.
The 38-year-old, along with his Al-Nassr comrades, managed to preserve their lead to claim all three points. They now sit ahead of Ahli in the standings, trailing second-placed Al-Hilal by two points and Al-Ittihad by one additional point.
