CRISTIANO Ronaldo says he is the best footballer in the world and comparable with the game’s all-time greats. In an interview with the BBC ahead of the release of his film on Monday, Ronaldo said he had reached a level from where it is “not easy to improve”.
The Portuguese, 30, is a three-time world footballer-of-the-year, and Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer.
He said: “I don’t need to say ‘I’m in the history of football, I’m a legend’. The numbers say everything.”
Ronaldo, who joined Real from Manchester United in 2009 for £80M, said he had reached an “unbelievable” level on the pitch over the “last eight years” and wants to continue playing for another five or six seasons.
His career record stands at 504 goals in 760 appearances.
“To improve more it’s very tough. I just want to maintain because this is, I think, the most difficult part for a football player,” said Ronaldo, who is also the Champions League’s top scorer with 82 goals.
“In my mind, I’m always the best. I don’t care what people think, what they say. In my mind, not just this year but always, I’m always the best,” he added.
Ronaldo was asked about comparisons with Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, a four-time world player-of-the-year with 418 goals in 492 club appearances.
He said: “It’s opinions, I respect the opinions. Maybe in your opinion Messi is better than me, but in my mind I am better than him. So it’s simple.”
Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for £12.2M in 2003, scoring 118 goals for the club in 292 appearances.
Since moving to Madrid, where he is under contract until 2018, he has scored 326 goals in 314 matches.
In the BBC Sport interview, Ronaldo also spoke about motivation and Manchester United and former manager Jose Mourinho.
United have not challenged for the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, and boss Louis van Gaal has been criticised this season for their style of play.
Mourinho, now Chelsea manager, has come under pressure this season with the Blues 15th in the Premier League – having lost six of their opening 11 league games. (BBC Sport)