Karim Benzema delivers extraordinary snub to Cristiano Ronaldo after ex-Real Madrid team-mate’s GOAT claim… and overlooks Lionel Messi too!
- Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he is the greatest player of all time, earlier this month
- But Karim Benzema, who played alongside him for nine seasons, begs to differ
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Can INEOS really be judged after 12 months?
Cristiano Ronaldo lays claim to be the greatest footballer of all time but not everyone agrees – not even those who have played alongside the Portugal star.
Earlier this month, Ronaldo unequivocally granted himself GOAT status an interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito.
The 40-year-old, who has scored a remarkable 923 career goals, said: ‘I honestly haven’t seen anyone better than me. You have to look at the numbers full stop.
‘I believe I am the most complete player who has ever existed. It’s me.
‘I do everything in football. I play well in terms of heading the ball, I’m good at free-kicks, I’m good with my left foot, I’m quick, I’m strong, I jump.
‘I am the best player ever, I believe that.’
Karim Benzema, now play in the Saudi league with Al Ittihad, has entered the GOAT debate
Cristiano Ronaldo claimed to be the greatest footballer of all time in an interview this month
But Benzema believes that title should go to Brazil’s Ronaldo, the double World Cup winner
Fans of Ronaldo’s great rival — Lionel Messi — were quick to jump on the comments and state the claims of the World Cup winner.
And now, Karim Benzema — who has himself won a Ballon d’Or — has entered the debate with the insight of spending nine seasons with the Portuguese at Real Madrid.
In a surprising admission,the Al Ittihad striker not only said he doesn’t think Ronaldo is as good as he says he is… but that he isn’t even the greatest Ronaldo.
‘I think everyone can say what they want,’ Benzema told TNT Sports.
‘If he thinks he is the best in history, then he is. It depends, for me, for example, the best is Ronaldo from Brazil.’
Argentina great Lionel Messi has won eight Balon d’or awards to Cristiano Ronaldo’s six
Karim Benzema played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for nine seasons at Real Madrid
Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil and 104 for Real Madrid during his five-year spell at the European champions.
‘I don’t like to make comparisons between players, each one has their own story, he [Cristiano] has his own and it’s a very good one,’ Benzema added.
These comments will surely have reached Cristiano Ronaldo’s ears, who will try to prove to Karim Benzema wrong when his Al-Nassr side goes up against Benzema and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
