Ronaldo: "The World Cup is not the sole measure for the GOAT"

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized that the World Cup should not be the exclusive benchmark for evaluating a player's greatness.

During a recent interview aired with journalist Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo openly expressed his view that the World Cup is often seen as the ultimate criterion for the title of "greatest player in history." The Portuguese superstar believes it is unfair to judge an entire career based on a short tournament.

When Morgan asked if never winning the World Cup made his career "incomplete," Ronaldo immediately responded: “No. That was never my dream. And what do you think defines greatness here? Am I considered one of the best in history just because I won a tournament lasting six or seven matches? Do you think that’s fair?”

Ronaldo’s statement is seen as an indirect response to Lionel Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, thereby strengthening his status as the “GOAT” (greatest of all time) in many people’s eyes. For CR7, greatness cannot be confined to a single moment or tournament but must be proven through a long process of persistence, ambition, and consistent achievements.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has conquered nearly every prestigious title at both club and national levels: five Champions League titles, three Premier League trophies, two La Liga championships, along with the EURO 2016 and Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025 with Portugal. Yet, the World Cup trophy remains the missing piece in his vast collection.

However, at 40 years old, Ronaldo still insists he does not need the World Cup to validate his status. “I have given my all, fought hard, and achieved what I deserve. I don’t need to win the World Cup to know who I am,” CR7 shared.

Ronaldo’s remarks not only reflect the confidence of a legend but also reignite the endless debate about the criteria for defining the “greatest player in history,” a title that perhaps does not require owning a World Cup trophy to be recognized.