Category: ronaldo

The debate over who reigns supreme in soccer—Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—has been ongoing since the two burst onto the global stage. Adding his perspective, Xabi Alonso, the Spanish legend set to take over as Real Madrid’s head coach, shared his thoughts.

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated an era of soccer and are widely regarded as two of the greatest players of all time. For Alonso, however, the answer is clear. He has consistently chosen Ronaldo as the best, saying in a 2014 interview with the Daily Mail, “Cristiano is the best footballer I have ever played with”.

That year, Ronaldo captured the Ballon d’Or, and Alonso, who was then playing for Bayern Munich, called the award “deserved,” even as Germany celebrated its World Cup win. “If Neuer or another German player had won the Ballon d’Or, it would have been fair—they won the World Cup. But I also say that if Cristiano Ronaldo takes it, it’s fair too. He had an incredible season and won the Champions League”.

Alonso doubled down on his opinion after his retirement in 2017. Speaking to Bodegas Beronia, he reaffirmed, “The best of all time? The usual suspects: Cristiano or Messi. But because he was my teammate, [I pick] Cristiano”.

Champions League glory with Ronaldo

Alonso and Ronaldo were two marquee signings by Real Madrid ahead of the 2009 season. The club’s goal was to finally secure the elusive 10th Champions League trophy.

see also

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni picks between Messi and Maradona, names the world’s 3 best players without including Leo

The dream became reality in the 2013-14 season, with both Alonso and Cristiano Ronaldo playing pivotal roles in the triumph. Together, they also won two Copa del Rey titles, one La Liga championship, and a Spanish Super Cup. Alonso left Madrid after that season to join Bayern Munich, where he eventually retired in 2017 to begin his coaching career.

Alonso’s Messi comparison for Florian Wirtz

Currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has been guiding several rising stars, including German prodigy Florian Wirtz. In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Alonso drew parallels between Wirtz and Messi, praising Wirtz’s understanding of the game.

“Messi is so good because he knows how and when to make the right passes,” Alonso explained. “It’s not about making the most spectacular move but the smartest and most effective one. Florian can do that too. That’s why he’s so good”.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.

Manchester United sent a scout to monitor Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s debut for Portugal Under-15s this week.

• Cristiano Ronaldo Jr was named on the bench for Portugal’s U15 game vs Japan 
• He plays for Al-Nassr’s youth academy while his father stars for the senior team
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why Liverpool fans must not let Trent Alexander-Arnold row spoil their title party 

By BEN WILLCOCKS

Published: 07:34 EDT, 13 May 2025 | Updated: 08:34 EDT, 13 May 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s mother proudly watched on from the sidelines as her grandson warmed up before being named on the bench for Portugal’s U15s clash against Japan on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr trained with Portugal’s youth ranks for the first time this week and will hope to come on to make his first appearance for the U15s side in Croatia.

The 14-year-old youngster, who plays for the youth academy of his father’s Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, is eligible to represent a host of nations including Spain and the USA.

Although he will not officially commit his future to a country until he makes a senior appearance at international level, it looks as though Ronaldo Jr is favouring Portugal after being called up for their youth side, following in his father’s footsteps.

Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo, 40, represented the Portugal U15s on nine occasions in 2001 before quickly accelerating through the youth ranks.

He went on to become Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer with 136 goals from 219 appearances, winning the European Championship in 2016 and Nations League in 2019.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother Maria Dolores watched on from the sidelines as her grandson warmed up before being named on the bench for Portugal’s U15s clash against Japan

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, right – sporting his father’s iconic No 7, warms up ahead of the match

He is set to follow in the footsteps of his father, who first played for Portugal at U15 level

Keen to witness her family continue the legacy, Ronaldo’s mother Maria Dolores watched on from the sidelines as her grandson geared up for the match, which is part of the Vlatko Markovic tournament staged in Croatia.

Smiling as he trained and warmed up with team-mates, she was pictured sporting Ronaldo’s iconic 2010 World Cup jersey.

With the Al-Nassr superstar set to retire in the next few years, there will be plenty of pressure on Ronaldo Jr’s shoulders to follow in his father’s footsteps once the baton is passed over fully.

The young striker, affectionally known as Cristianinho, was one of 22 teenagers who were listed to feature at the tournament by manager Joao Santos.

During an earlier training session with Portugal’s U15s this week, Ronaldo Jr was spotted wearing CR7 Nike Mercurials as well as Kylian Mbappe’s latest Nike boots.

Before impressing at Al-Nassr, the 14-year-old was previously a part of the youth academies at Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United — all of his father’s former teams.

Despite turning 40 in February, the Ballon d’Or winner has admitted in the past he would like to play on the same pitch as his son.

The veteran player said recently: ‘I would like it, I would like it. It’s not something that keeps me awake at night but we’ll see.’

The starlet watches on with excitement as he hopes to make his first appearance for the U15s

Despite training with Portugal, he could represent a host of nations including Spain and USA

The 14-year-old has also played in Man United’s youth set up and wants to be professional

He added: ‘ It’s more in his hands than mine. The years are starting to go by and one day I’ll have to let it go. There will come a time when it is no longer possible. Not only physically but also psychologically.’

Speaking about his son’s footballing future to Portuguese newspaper Record he added: ‘He will follow his path, his career. I will be a proud father, I will be proud of what he wants to do.

‘If he plays, ‘top’. If he doesn’t play, we tried. At least his father tried. But it won’t be a problem either, in my opinion.’

For nearly two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the debate over who is the best soccer player in the world. But with both legends now in the twilight of their careers, new names have started to take center stage. In a recent interview, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni revealed his current top three players—and neither Messi nor Ronaldo made the cut.

With both stars now outside of Europe’s top leagues, fans and analysts alike have begun shifting their attention to a new generation of talent. During a conversation with Spanish journalist Siro Lopez, Scaloni was asked to name his three best players in the world right now. His answer sparked headlines.

“Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and the third one could be one of ours. It could be Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez,” Scaloni said. While Mbappe and the 17-year-old Yamal were quick picks, the third spot appeared more difficult for the coach to finalize.

López even suggested adding Messi to round out the list, but Scaloni decided to keep the discussion focused on the present: “We don’t put Leo in the discussion because it’s tiresome,” he responded, explaining his choice to highlight emerging talent over familiar answers.

Scaloni has repeatedly expressed admiration for Messi—calling him the greatest player in history, even above Diego Maradona. But when it comes to discussing today’s top performers, the coach acknowledged it’s time to shift the spotlight away from both Messi and Ronaldo.

see also

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni speaks out on Brazil links amid Carlo Ancelotti negotiations

Lionel Scaloni’s all-time starting XI

Now 46, Lionel Scaloni has had the rare privilege of playing with and against many of the game’s all-time greats. When asked to name his historic dream XI—including players he’s played with, against, or simply admired—the Argentina boss didn’t hesitate to bring legends back into the conversation.

For goalkeeper, he selected Gianluigi Buffon. His back line included Cafu, Alessandro Nesta, Noureddine Naybet (a former teammate), and Paolo Maldini. In midfield, he named Mauro Silva (another former teammate), along with Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.

Up front, Scaloni returned to familiar icons: Lionel Messi and Brazilian Ronaldo were his first two picks, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo—finally giving both modern legends a place, albeit in his all-time XI rather than his current top three.

Al-Nassr fans have all come to the same conclusion about Cristiano Ronaldo following their historic 9-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud on Monday night. The Saudi Arabian giants have endured yet another disappointing campaign and, with three games left of the domestic season, have no chance of winning the Saudi Pro League title as they sit 11 points behind top spot in third.

It means yet another term without silverware for Ronaldo, who joined the club following the 2022 World Cup after his contract with Manchester United was terminated. And amid suggestions that he may not be signed to a new deal by the club, the fans have given their verdict after he missed out on the record-breaking performance.

Al-Nassr Fans Convinced They Are Better Without Ronaldo

Sadio Mane was the star of the show in the 40-year-old’s absence

Ronaldo was absent from the squad as his side travelled to Najran to face off against the team currently sitting second from bottom in the Saudi Pro League table. However, it made little to no difference, as the visitors cruised to one of the most dominant victories in Saudi football history.

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane was the hero of the hour, grabbing four goals, while ex-Aston Villa starlet Jhon Duran also notched a brace. As a result of the fabulous display, fans have now become convinced that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is holding back Stefano Pioli’s men.

“Our biggest win of the season and Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t playing. He makes us WORSE. Get CR7 out of my Al Nassr,” wrote one fan on social media, while another added: “Al Nassr without Ronaldo is actually insane.”

A third stated: “Al Nassr won 9-0 without Ronaldo. Tells a lot,” while a fourth reacted by saying: “It’s so clear that Portugal & Al Nassr are better without Ronaldo man… shame on him!”

A fifth pointed to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s candid admission that bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United was a mistake, citing it as further proof that the forward’s decline—and the disruptive effect it can have on a team—has been evident for some time: “Ole Solskjaer admitted in a podcast on Stick to Football that he regrets signing Ronaldo. That brudda disrupts teams and doesn’t wanna admit his glory days has passed. Al Nassr has just won 9-0. They play so well without him and win every game without him with ease.”

Related

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Stats at Inter Miami & Al-Nassr After 50 Games Compared

The two men have both been impressive for their new clubs, but looking at the statistics from their first 50 games, one had a better start

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 12/05/2025.

Al-Nassr were on top form against Al-Akhdoud and showed that they can perform without Cristiano Ronaldo as they grabbed a massive 9-0 win.

Al-Nassr were on top form against Al-Akhdoud and showed that they can perform without Cristiano Ronaldo as they grabbed a massive 9-0 win.

Al-Nassr were on top form against Al-Akhdoud and showed that they can perform without Cristiano Ronaldo as they grabbed a massive 9-0 win.

With the services of Cristiano Ronaldo not available, Al Nassr comfortably defeated Al Akhdoud 9-0 in the Saudi Pro League on Monday at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City stadium.

Already out of title contention, this victory helped Al Nassr climb to third place and reach 63 points from 31 matches in the league.

This was also the side’s biggest win in the club’s history. The previous record stood at Nassr’s 8-0 win against Abha Club away from home last season in the league.

AS IT HAPPENED | Al Akhdoud vs Al Nassr

Earlier, skipper Ronaldo was not named in Al Nassr’s matchday squad for this fixture. Media reports suggest that head coach Stefano Pioli possibly kept the Portuguese forward out of the squad because of physical exhaustion. Regardless, the Riyadh-based side didn’t miss the 40-year-old.

The match was already out of the host’s reach after Nassr was leading four goals to nil at half-time. Jhon Duran scored a brace as Sadio Mane netted four. Ayman Yahya, Marcelo Brozovic, Mohammed Maran also got on the scoresheet.

Yahya broke the deadlock in the 16th minute before Duran and Brozovic gave the visitor a three-goal cushion within the first 30 minutes. Mane scored his first of the night when he converted from the penalty spot in first half’s stoppage time.

Soon after the break, Duran scored his second as Mane struck three goals in the span of 15 minutes. Maran added to Akhdoud’s misery after he converted a penalty for Nassr’s ninth goal of the match.