Cristiano Ronaldo is up there with the greatest footballers of all-time after winning the Ballon d’Or on five occasions.
The only player to win the Ballon d’Or more times than Cristiano Ronaldo is Lionel Messi (8), and the pair battled neck-in-neck for Europe’s biggest trophies throughout their career, creating unbelievable experiences for football fans across the world.
From coming through the youth academy at Sporting CP, to blossoming under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, to becoming one of the all-time greats at Real Madrid, it’s been an incredible journey.
Ronaldo showed plenty of skill and flair in his earlier years, but the mind-boggling numbers came later in his career. He would go on to win three Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League in 2008, after scoring a delightful header in the Moscow final against Chelsea.
During his time at United, Ronaldo played with some of the best players the Premier League has seen. Some of them include Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney.
Although Ronaldo left under a grey cloud on two occasions, the Portuguese star will forever be remembered as a United legend after becoming a world beater at Old Trafford.
Ryan Giggs called Cristiano Ronaldo ‘the best’
One of the biggest debates in football over the past decade saw football fans argue over whether Ronaldo or Messi is the greatest footballer of all time.
There is no doubt in Giggs’ mind about who the best player was after spending six years in the same team as Ronaldo.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand asked Giggs where Ronaldo ranks among the best players he has played with during his illustrious career.
“The best,” Giggs told Ferdinand during an episode of Rio Meets.
Ferdinand quizzed Giggs on whether he felt Ronaldo was better than Eric Cantona.
English football’s most decorated player replied: “He’s the best. I remember sprinting across in one game in the winter and I’ve took Cristiano out and the manager has gone mad. I’ve gone, ‘it’s a tackle gaffer,’ and he’s gone, ‘I know yeah but just take care. He’s a special player.”
Giggs added: “The first year was hard for him, but the more I think – and you’d seen it – more in training, where if he took too many touches he’s getting kicked. The gaffer wasn’t giving fouls.”
This showed that Ronaldo had to learn from a bit of tough love to become a success in the Premier League, and Giggs’ comments suggest that he believes that is what made him the best during his time at the club.
Ferdinand asked if it was a conscious thing in the dressing room, to toughen up younger players or new signings, and whether it was a request issued by Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I don’t think he needed to,” Giggs said. “I think we already did it.”
Ronaldo closing in on remarkable 1,000 milestone
Aged 40, Ronaldo is still scoring goals for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo has 948 goals throughout his career and is in a race against time to reach 1,000.
It would be an incredible feat, but it begs the question: When is Ronaldo going to retire?
The legendary forward’s current deal at Al-Nassr expires in June 2027, having signed a new deal in June 2025.
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