Cristiano Ronaldo’s Legacy Beyond the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly stated that his legacy should not be judged solely on whether he secures a World Cup title. The accomplished forward, who has garnered five Ballon d’Or awards and netted an impressive total of 952 career goals, stands as the top scorer in men’s international football, boasting 143 goals. Notably, the World Cup remains the only significant accolade absent from his otherwise illustrious career.
Ronaldo’s Perspective on the World Cup
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, which was previewed through a trailer released ahead of the full episode, the 40-year-old voiced his perspective:
“If you ask me whether winning the World Cup is a dream, I’d say no, it’s not.”
Ronaldo opposes the notion that a single tournament outcome can fully encapsulate a player’s career achievements. Questioning the fairness of this perspective, he expressed:
“To define if I’m one of the best in history based on winning just one competition, featuring only six or seven matches—do you really think that’s fair?”
Comparisons with Lionel Messi
For context, throughout his career, Ronaldo has often found himself in comparison with Lionel Messi, his longtime rival. While Ronaldo has celebrated victories in major tournaments, such as leading Portugal to triumph in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the inaugural UEFA Nations League, Messi recently described winning the World Cup in 2022 as
“the dream of my life”
after many near misses.
Ronaldo also holds the record for the most goals in European Championships, with 14 goals across six tournaments, claiming that the debate surrounding who ranks as the greatest of all time is clear-cut.
“Is Messi better than me? I disagree,”
he stated firmly, shunning humility for candidness.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, it is anticipated that Ronaldo will lead the Portuguese national team as captain in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This tournament, however, will be marked by the absence of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this year. Ronaldo expressed his profound grief, sharing his disbelief at the news and the emotional toll it took on him, saying:
“I cried a lot. It was a particularly tough moment for everyone involved: the country, families, friends, and teammates. It was devastating and very sad news.”
