‘No arguing’ – Manager claims Cristiano Ronaldo trumps Lionel Messi in GOAT debate but Portugal given warning
After some backlash to his claims that he’s the greatest of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has some support in the opposition dugout. At the start of February, the Al Nassr striker put himself top of the all-time list, but has had some pushback from huge names like Ronaldo Nazario and Fabio Capello. Ronaldo is departing Saudi for international duty and will meet a new fanAFP Yet Brian Riemer, who will face Ronaldo’s Portugal with his Denmark team on Thursday, thinks they’re crazy. Speaking to O Jogo before the match, the former Brentford assistant said: “I think I’ve been asked, curiously, in the last three or four interviews I’ve done: ‘Messi or Ronaldo?’ “For me, it’s Ronaldo, every day. I’ve always admired this guy. “I think he’s not only achieved incredible numbers throughout his career – top scorer, trophies, there’s no arguing about that – but he’s also a great example for young people. “His professionalism, the way he looks after his body, the way he’s managed to continue all these years at the highest level. “I think the big mistake a lot of people make with Ronaldo is that they’ve been too busy writing him off in recent years and every time they try to write him off, he becomes the top scorer, like now in the Nations League. So I have the deepest respect for him. “I think he’s still one of the scariest players you can face and I think he’s in great shape. He’s not the same as he was before, he’s a different footballer now, but that doesn’t make him any worse. “He’s different but he’s still a great player. We have a lot of respect for him and we’re looking forward to facing him.” Denmark and Portugal face off in the Nations League play-offs after Portugal topped their group with four wins and two draws from six games. Ronaldo, now aged 40, is the top scorer so far with five goals, as manager Roberto Martinez continues to rely on him despite a difficult Euro 2024. Hjulmand summed up what Ronaldo means to his club and countryGetty Riemer isn’t the only Denmark representative on team Ronaldo, as key midfielder and Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand is also full of praise for his club side’s icon. “Sporting is extremely proud of the fact that Cristiano has represented the club,” he said. “But he doesn’t just make a difference here – he makes a difference all over the country, much more than I expected. If he were running for president, he would win.” His impact on his country is very clear to see, but with retirement on the horizon, his time playing for Portugal is limited. Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals ever scored on the international stage and he has the most appearances for A Selecao. But Portugal need to put plans into place for life after their legend calls time on his incredible career, according to his former coach. Ex-Man United coach Carlos Queiroz has said: “We still have the illusions that recent years have accustomed us to, but I think we are approaching a very critical moment. “Sooner or later, we will have to face the decision of the departure of a brilliant player, who left his mark on Portuguese football, Cristiano. “The big decisions for the future must be taken now to prevent the national team from going into decline. “We have a new generation of players who can guarantee success, but if we go into decline, getting back on track will be more difficult.” Ronaldo will play against Denmark in their first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals on Thursday. The second leg will take place on Sunday, March 23.
After some backlash to his claims that he’s the greatest of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has some support in the opposition dugout.
At the start of February, the Al Nassr striker put himself top of the all-time list, but has had some pushback from huge names like Ronaldo Nazario and Fabio Capello.
Yet Brian Riemer, who will face Ronaldo’s Portugal with his Denmark team on Thursday, thinks they’re crazy.
Speaking to O Jogo before the match, the former Brentford assistant said: “I think I’ve been asked, curiously, in the last three or four interviews I’ve done: ‘Messi or Ronaldo?’
“For me, it’s Ronaldo, every day. I’ve always admired this guy.
“I think he’s not only achieved incredible numbers throughout his career – top scorer, trophies, there’s no arguing about that – but he’s also a great example for young people.
“His professionalism, the way he looks after his body, the way he’s managed to continue all these years at the highest level.
“I think the big mistake a lot of people make with Ronaldo is that they’ve been too busy writing him off in recent years and every time they try to write him off, he becomes the top scorer, like now in the Nations League. So I have the deepest respect for him.
“I think he’s still one of the scariest players you can face and I think he’s in great shape. He’s not the same as he was before, he’s a different footballer now, but that doesn’t make him any worse.
“He’s different but he’s still a great player. We have a lot of respect for him and we’re looking forward to facing him.”
Denmark and Portugal face off in the Nations League play-offs after Portugal topped their group with four wins and two draws from six games.
Ronaldo, now aged 40, is the top scorer so far with five goals, as manager Roberto Martinez continues to rely on him despite a difficult Euro 2024.
Riemer isn’t the only Denmark representative on team Ronaldo, as key midfielder and Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand is also full of praise for his club side’s icon.
“Sporting is extremely proud of the fact that Cristiano has represented the club,” he said.
“But he doesn’t just make a difference here – he makes a difference all over the country, much more than I expected. If he were running for president, he would win.”
His impact on his country is very clear to see, but with retirement on the horizon, his time playing for Portugal is limited.
Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals ever scored on the international stage and he has the most appearances for A Selecao.
But Portugal need to put plans into place for life after their legend calls time on his incredible career, according to his former coach.
Ex-Man United coach Carlos Queiroz has said: “We still have the illusions that recent years have accustomed us to, but I think we are approaching a very critical moment.
“Sooner or later, we will have to face the decision of the departure of a brilliant player, who left his mark on Portuguese football, Cristiano.
“The big decisions for the future must be taken now to prevent the national team from going into decline.
“We have a new generation of players who can guarantee success, but if we go into decline, getting back on track will be more difficult.”
Ronaldo will play against Denmark in their first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals on Thursday.
The second leg will take place on Sunday, March 23.
