Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the greatest footballers of all time (Image: AP)
Jose Mourinho waded into the age-old football debate of the greatest player ever but surprisingly sidelined both and despite their historic triumphs. Ronaldo, who is celebrating his 40th birthday on Wednesday, continues to showcase his exceptional ability in the twilight of his career.
He has five Ballon d’Or awards to his name and the same number of Champions League titles. The Al-Nassr star recently netted a brace, 23 years after he kicked off his professional journey, as he edges closer towards a phenomenal milestone of 1,000 career goals.
For over 10 years, Ronaldo’s rivalry with Messi defined an era, especially during their time at La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, where they turned 50-goal seasons into a routine affair and eclipsed records held by other football legends. Yet, despite their combined 13 Ballon d’Or awards, asserts that neither compares to the sheer talent of one Ronaldo Nazario de Lima when it comes to innate skill.
Mourinho, who coached Cristiano to a La Liga championship with Real Madrid and faced regular challenges from Messi’s Barcelona, gave his take on the popular debate in an interview with He answered: “Ronaldo, El Fenomeno. Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have had longer careers, they have remained at the top every day for 15 years.
“However, if we are talking strictly about talent and skill, nobody surpasses Ronaldo. Injuries killed a career that could have been even more incredible, but the talent that 19-year-old boy had was something incredible.”
The Brazilian football legend, who retired from football in 2011, clinched two World Cup titles and bagged two Ballons d’Or. During his prime years with Barcelona and Inter Milan in the late 1990s, he earned the nickname ‘O Fenomeno’ (The Phenomenon) for his extraordinary blend of technique, speed, finishing, skill and sheer power.
Ronaldo won two World Cups with Brazil (Image: Getty)
Mourinho had the privilege of witnessing this phenomenal talent first-hand while serving as an assistant and translator to the legendary Bobby Robson during Ronaldo’s only season (1996/1997) at Barcelona. Regrettably, the South American star’s career was somewhat ruined by severe knee injuries.
They curtailed his peak years compared to Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, and he also missed out on winning the top European prize.
In contrast, both the Portuguese Ronaldo and Messi enjoyed abundant success, with the latter securing four Champions League titles. Mourinho conceded that when it comes to comparisons between the two, Messi edges it.
Jose Mourinho won La Liga with Cristiano Ronaldo at the centre of his Real Madrid team (Image: AFP via Getty)
“Of course, I would say the little guy [Messi],” Mourinho confessed to Rio Ferdinand when quizzed about who was the superior player in the contemporary era. “But the little guy was not coachable. But I have to say that in our generation, he was the best player.”
Messi, the record goal scorer and appearance maker for both Barcelona and Argentina, boasts an impressive 861 career goals. The Inter Miami superstar also has a World Cup and two Copa America titles under his belt at international level.
Despite not having Messi’s World Cup medal and three less Ballons d’Or, Ronaldo holds the record for the most international goals, with 135 to his name. The ex- and Juventus icon has scored a staggering 923 senior career goals and is the all-time leading scorer for both Portugal and Real Madrid.