´I have my own thoughts´ – Mascherano disagrees with Ronaldo GOAT claim

Javier Mascherano does not agree with Cristiano Ronaldo’s assertion that he is the most complete player in history, saying he has his “own thoughts” on the matter.

Ronaldo, who turned 40 on Wednesday, made the bold claim in an interview with El Chiringuito earlier this week, while acknowledging some people have preferences for names like Lionel Messi, Pele or Diego Maradona.

However, the Portugal captain also stated that “numbers don’t lie” and that he can “do it all in football”.

Ronaldo is the all-time leading goalscorer in the men’s game, having netted 923 times, while he also holds the record for the most international goals, scoring 135 times for Portugal.

Overall, he has averaged just over 40 goals per year throughout his career.

Ronaldo is perhaps most often compared to great rival Messi, who has scored 850 career goals, in debates over the greatest footballer of all time, following their respective spells at Real Madrid and Barcelona.

And Mascherano, Messi’s ex-Argentina team-mate and current Inter Miami head coach, has a different opinion to Ronaldo, though he did not share who he believed was the best.

“I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and I do not have to analyse his opinions,” Mascherano told a press conference.

“It is what he thinks. But I have my own thoughts [on the best player ever] and it is not that.”

Two goals and a win! pic.twitter.com/TMYy7dZibv

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) February 3, 2025