R9 was the greatest. He was the pinnacle of what a striker should be - speed, skill, strength and smile. He was awe inspiring to watch.

I am a huge Messi fan but this shouldn’t be a comparison, no one cares “ at his best” I could just say at his best neymar is also up there. CR7 has proven it time and time again what else does he need to prove?

I would choose cr7 anyday. This guy respects his job more than anyone for 20yrs. Pure dedication and playing at same level and always wants to be the best. This mindset is really amazing.

To be honest. It's cr7. There is an emotional connection to Brazilian Ronaldo but cr7 has more goals, better goal per game average, more trophies and he's been doing it forever.

Everything these pundits are saying about R9, CR7 did it all and so much more and I'm saying this as someone who has watched them both. R9 was amazing but CR7 is better and they're talking about prime when CR7 top, top prime lasted more than a decade and not to mention CR7 had different levels of prime each year better than the last. CR7 is the most hated and disrespected football player in history and the hate and disrespect he gets comes from a place of jealousy and stupidity, smfh

I understand where Ale os cominf from in a sense of completeness, i always say it, Cr7 is a player with attributes to his game, so as a result he has multiple primes, so does messi. R9 has one prime and was complete, R9 did evolve his game to counteract his weakness but not like Cr7, so while R9 had one prime where his dribbling, passing explosiveness strength close control and speed was best in the world, Cr7 had multple primes, so from 2006~2009 was one Cr7 primes, in this prime he was an electric wide midfielder who could do everything, he was adding goalscoring and a lot of end product to his ability to beat players and dribble and his physique, then you have 2012~ early 2015 where ronaldo was at his true peak as a player as a dribbler, goalscorer, ball passer, attacking movement superb, his ability to beat 3-4 players his skills, freekick penalties so on( even though his freekick drop from late 2014 onwards). Cr7 3rd prime was his prime as a Goalscorer, this is from 2016~2018, in these years Cr7 was at his peak goalscoring wise,all of his goalscoring attributes he had before and all the scoring ability he was developing for the past 12 years, ronaldo would now use that to compensate for his injuries sustained in 2014, so this is where you see ronaldo constantly score a variety of goals, headed goals, left foot right foot, penalties, beating players to score( less players though) he even started to score more pocher goals etc. My point is while Cr7 had many primes with his attribute, R9 had one encompassing one where he was complete, but if i were to pick i still would go Cr7.

It’s Cristiano Ronaldo by a mile. R9 was legendary to watch though and it’s nostalgic looking back on it so there’s an emotional connection to those who grew up watching him.

Ale's argument is valid about the Brazilian Ronaldo's skillset. But I don't think anyone has argued that Cristiano was the most breathtaking player to watch. It's always been about his goalscoring efficiency. Cristiano Ronaldo is a machine. Messi and Ronaldo have put up astronomical numbers that we haven't seen in over 40 years at least. An average year for Cristiano at Real was better than the Brazilian Ronaldo's best year. Even if you correct for how the sport has changed in the last 20 years, he's still way ahead. I think the Brazilian Ronaldo was a better overall player maybe at best, but if I had to bet on one of those two to score a goal to win a game, the odds on favourite would be Cristiano.

How can you guys judge player just by his prime...?? Who knows R9 would have great career as like cr7 without injury??... being good in prime is one thing but being consistent for 15 yrs It's not easy 💯 ... It's disrespectful to great career Cristiano has 😒

The right answer based on feelings: Ronaldo Nazario. The actual answer that is a fact: CR7 and it's not even close. And I say that as a Messi fanboy.

lol from Ale: "Imagine Messi with strength, power, dynamic movement, where defenders come to challenge in tight spaces and they don't even stand a chance" Me: ...............so, prime Messi?

At 37 R9 was already retired while CR7 still producing bangers in the hardest league in the world that's not even a debate 🇵🇹

R9 for the moments of greatness, but CR7 does have the longevity argument on his side.

How do we know r9 would have been the goat, if not for his injuries, there are no guarantees in football,which is why we have to respect Cr7 and messi for what they have done for the last 15+ years

Its just emotional connection and ifs and buts when it comes to R9 CR7 has numbers and trophies on his side

They’re both amazing but the best player of all time Is Harry Maguire by a distance

Cristiano transformed an average RM team (which failed to make it past R16 for 6 consecutive seasons) to a team which won UCL 4 times out of 5 seasons. I mean the guy is a freaking Alien. R9 was amazing, but frankly there is no comparison between the two.

Ale gets a question about cr7 and Ronaldo Ale: finds some way to mention Messi 😂

NO DISRESPECT TO ANY FOOTBALLER PAST OR PRESENT BRAZILIAN RONALDO WAS UNREAL

Well if i could pick Ronaldo before injury i would pick Ronaldo,there will never be anything similar to Ronaldo,he was monster before injury,most complete striker ever to step on the pitch,right,left,dribling out of this world,speed,his first step was out of this world also,unbelivable. He and Messi are only two players who are able to go straight for the goal no matter how far are they from the goal,he could dribble two,three,four,five players and scored a goal,he went in Italy and he was playing with those players,Seria A was nightmare back than,every tackle was injury,just look how they played agains him,brutal. Season with Barcelona was epic and he was 21 i think,imagine him with Mesi,Iniesta and Xavi in the team,he could score a hundred goals in a year,best finisher ever,or imagine him in Real with Modrić,Kroos,Ozil,Di Maria. I have total respect for Cristiano but Ronaldo was joy to watch. Iam gone a reapet again,no one was able to took the ball from the center of field and go direct for goal,just he and Messi. Kaka also had that ability sometimes.

Both great players, but you got an electric feeling when you watched R9. Simply was out of the world compared to other players. I only got a similar feeling watching Ronaldinho 2004-06

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not appreciated by ex-players? From 2007 to 2015 he was amazing and as he gets older he changed his game to a goal machine and even at 36 he is doing it in the premier league. How on earth is R9 better than Cristiano Ronaldo?

People overhype Nazario. People conflate immense talent with being a great player or the better player. There's a bunch of super talented players that aren't as well remembered. And yes, I did see R9 playing. But good lord 90% of football discussions are stupid and biased.

When they have nothing to talk 😂😂

Ronaldo Nazario - great for 2-3 years. CR7 great for 15+ years. No contest.

I think if you’re old enough to have actually seen R9 at the time, live, you’re not gonna pick many players above him!

Since his Prime was so short and he never achieved more than CR7 why are we talking about what COULD’VE been and not what it is?

CR7 and Messi is another level, this is no comparison

I would argue TO never really reached his prime. Those injuries destroyed his knees and forced him to change his style way too early in his career. I mean see what he was doing in his 1st year at Barca...his 1st balon d'or at that young age (that definitely wasn't his prime). And he still won another when he was in decline.

Because nostalgia is real and logic isn't always applied. R9 was brilliant at his best but it's not even close. Maybe they should go back and watch CR7 in his prime, people forget the player in his 30s vs his 20s are completely different. If you're a manager signing a player for your team, you're taking CR7 all day.

“A Messi with strength, power, dynamic ability”. Literally just described the GOAT, Cristiano!

They always talk about R9 injuries and forget CR7 injuries in his knee that diminished his dribbling ability

Why is this even a debate? CR7 is ahead by a mile and those who say R9 was destroyed by injuries, forget how Cristiano too had a knee injury (2014) , changed his playing style and managed to stay relevant for more than a decade now. The only people who say R9 is better are nostalgia stricken fan boys.

I love both and can appreciate both but I have more respect towards CR7

This is like asking Messi or Ronaldinho, you'd obviously go with messi Don't get me wrong dinho and r9 are probably the greatest players we've seen when it comes to talent but let's not forget Ronaldo and messi's prime has been for 13+ plus years And let's not forget cr7 changed him game completely and was still able to perform at a high level when he has faced with injuries and was getting old, something r9 hasn't able to do

Come on ESPN FC, Are you serious?! Let's take Thierry Henry & Ronaldo-9, two of the greatest multi-functional forwards of all time. They have scored 411 and 414 career goals respectively. That's a total of 825 career goals! CR7 single-handedly scored 815 career goals so far. Outscoring one of them is tough, outscoring both.....MONSTROUS!!!

If there were no injuries bs. Injuries are part of the r9 package. CR7 no debate here.

Using injuries as an excuse as to why players weren’t as good as they “should’ve” been is stupid. Being fit and staying consistent at the top is the biggest part of being a great footballer. Cristiano has been doing it for 20+ years. R9’s moment of shine doesn’t compare to Cristiano’s decades of greatness

Ronaldo nazario was spectacular in a number of occasions, Cristiano Ronaldo was spectacular every single season he played.

There's a reason these player have their own name and individual talent that will never be re-created. We all have our favorites from what we see. At the end of the day football is a team game. Enjoy it while it last.

R9 in his peak was the best player of all time. But Cr7 and Messi are still the GOATS for longevity and consistency.

He like R9 because of his amazing skills not stats and achievements because stats and achievement CR7 is clear by a million miles

Brazil Ronaldo all day

Only I wish I was born a while ago.. I was born in 98 and only managed to r9 at real and later years where he was good but he started to get done out but I also managed to watch most of his old matches on tv highlights/youtube etc.when i was little like when in the 90s r9 looked like an absolute monster that was made in the lab for science or something... that guy was an animal. When that guy used to run at defenders.. The defenders used to wet their pants out of fear and he was playing in serie a when it was the best league in the world.. R9 looked like and had this best player in the world feel to himself.. Man had the charisma and fear of a monster player... I wish i was old enough to watch his younger/prime years fully...

Brazilian Ronaldo scored 8 goals and won the 2002 work cup with 2 goals in the final ,all this after 18 months of injuries no play time whatsoever before the world cup. I don't think Cristiano could have done this.

Brazilian Ronaldo all day injury’s destroyed him if it wasn’t for it their wouldn’t have been a debate Brazilian Ronaldo was a much better footballer and done it at the World Cup

Cristiano did everything R9 did but better. Long range, short range, headers, free kicks, penalties, dribbling is probably even, more trophies, more success, more longevity. Made Portugal nation team a thing whereas Brazil would be massive without Ronaldo. The disrespect is crazy. R9 was my favourite player growing up. I even did a study on him for a project in school. But they are not even in the same bracket. It’s Ronaldo and Messi and everybody else for probably 200 years from now. And if you really wanna say at his best. Then it’s still Ronaldo lol like what? His best ever record for a team in terms of goals is 83 for Real Madrid cristiano had like 63 or something in one year for Real Madrid whereas R9 took five years. 280 all comps overall in all teams. 280 vs over 1000 and you wanna say he was better? It’s insane. Insane.

Skills and talent are not everything, ur impact in the field for your team does matter the most as player..And if u r talking about abilities and skills, I will always choose Ronaldinho above everyone..but that doesn't mean he is a better impactful player or had a better career than Messi or Ronaldo..

Cristian Ronaldo got almost as many assists as R9 got goals, but yeah let’s compare what a joke.

Slow news days but we need the ratings to closed out the month. Intern: I got it. CR7 vs R9

CR7 not even close. R9 was amazing and great but unfortunately injuries ruined his career. CR7 has been dominant for so long against top quality defenders and is still playing at 37. CR7 is the best finisher ever imo he is also clutch. Love both but CR7

People would have subjective opinions especially fans of both players. However, I feel Brazilian Ronaldo is better, especially on the world stage. Reached 3 back to back Finals (94, 98, 02) and won 2 world cups (was on the bench in 1994). His career was cut short by injuries. Someone said he is a flash in the pan, maybe they never watched him play. Back then, top goalkeepers and defenders dreaded marking R9. Those were the very best. Not to take anything away from Portuguese Ronaldo though, he is a top player.

Highest all time champions league scorer, highest all time international scorer, highest all time Real Madrid scorer, 5 champions leagues, highest all time euro scorer, multiple premier league, serie A, and La Liga titles only player to ever do that 5 ballon dor and still breaking records and being a top top player at 37 years old! We have never seen something like this don't hate appreciate greatness no matter what he does he's always hungry for more that's GOAT mentality.

Brazilian Ronaldo in his prime by far

whattttt?? No true. U all are taking him for granted. More fearfull huh? Cr7 scored like 70-75 goals at his prime, ask defenders who played against him what fear is, when u know that some player is going to score everytime he plays against u, and u can't do anything about it. That is FEAR. About Brazilian Ronaldo he was great, had a great team and absolutely better team than cr7 had. Yet he never scored 50 goals in a season, never. People love to downgrade others and exaggerate in defence.

R9 pace of mbappe strength of haaland dribbles like young Ronaldo cr7 and finishing like messi.

CR7 is competition to Messi, I just wonder if R9 would be able to keep up with Messi like Ronaldo has done

Cr7

Why CR7 is compared so much to the other players? I have come to the conclusion that CR7 is THE ONE "THE GOAT" period.

CR7 easily

We need more #10...every one is going 4-3-3

Longetivity: CR7 Dribbling, Entertainment, explosive and all around talent is R9. No striker comes close to R9

Nahhhh the nostalgia is crazy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 r9 the phenomenon, won the World Cup with one of the most talented sides in footy history in an era when tactics were basic players would party twice a week. Cr7 might not be as technically gifted, but his physicality and mentality combined with the world class talent he had exceeds r9. Cr7s real prime in terms of football was 2008 to 2014. The ballon dor came for the output and titles won.

Real Talent vs hard worker. If kid these day ever watching him, they'll understand about how awesome was R9's skill

People old enough to have actually seen them both play : R9 People who aren’t : CR7

Listen Brazilian Ronaldo was like my childhood hero growing up. I remember them adverts with the Brazilian players dribbling in the airport. He is a legend and one of the best strikers I’ve seen. But Cristiano Ronaldo is a beast. He’s is literally a machine. That’s the only way I can describe cr7. Yeah maybe R9 was the more gifted player. But as the saying goes; hard work beats talent of talent don’t work hard. This why i say CR7 is a machine because I don’t think there’s a footballer that has his work rate or dedication. Not to say CR7 wasn’t talented because he was and is, but yeah R9 was more talented but for me CR7 was just the better player period. It’s not even up for debate..

Im a Messi fan, but it annoys me seeing ESPN FC constantly downplaying Cristiano. wdf

I’ve had about enough of the Ronaldo slander. It’s ridiculous! Messi would never be getting this treatment!

I don't think that any other great players can play in Premier league at 37 years old

Blows my mind how this is even a conversation. CR7 is another level

You guys are just too fanatical...we compare two players according to their achievements individually and collectively CR7 has done more than R9 in his time. CR7 has played many positions in the field and more roles in the team which is R9. I really can't believe what I heard here...

say what you want, compared to other sports shows I watch, these people feel relatable, having fun and conversations that you would w/ your friend, idk don't mind supporting them, not fake puppets like everyone else

Better career? CR7 Who was better in ther prime? R9 Who would I pick in my XI if I have to choose only one of them? Prime R9 easily

Cr9 was great but cr7 his career and records are unreal.

Defenders tremble at meeting Ronaldo delima, no other player bring fear on the faces of defenders like Delima, I enjoyed watching him, he talked less and did his talking on the pitch, he gets the ball and he heads direct direction of the opposition defence. Great player plagued with injuries..

Brazilian Ronaldo was labelled fenomenon Understand this He was technically 8/10 He was physically 9/10 He was athletically 8/10 He was Haaland with Neymar Messi techniques, Mbappe speed, a rare gem.

Next question. I've seen both play. CR7 undoubtedly is a better player. There is no comparison between a player who showed moments that he could be the greatest and then the greatest. 4 seasons 60+ goals says it all.

Brazilian Ronaldo had the playmaking abilities of Messi, the pace of Mbappe , the power in his shots (without having to raise his foot too high) of Haaland and the anticipation and cleverness of Lewadwoski

I'm all for nostalgia but R9 only has the WC argument for him.. Otherwise, Cristiano stands head & shoulders above him. (No more 'the real ronaldo' jokes anymore)

The problem with that question is that any player at their peak, could possibly be the best player that ever was. Eusebio at his peak might have been better than Pelé at his peak. George Best and Ronaldinho at their peaks might well have been better than Messi and Maradona and so on. It's all about how you remember that player, how you felt during a certain match, etc.

If R9 didn't have injuries and the weight health issues he would have accomplished alot more deffo the GOAT

Brazilian of course

I think the real question should be if you need a striker to play a final now who would you pick and why? R9, Messi or CR7?

CR7 has done everything in football and played many different positions and scored in so many unique ways that no one else has! Isn’t he coming up to 1000 professional goals too! No comparison !!!

CR7 hate is real in here 👌 cr7 still remains the best ,he does what no man can do in the pitch he is a complete football player ⚽️

😂 So ridiculously bias from these clowns 🤡 all these hasbeens pundits that were mediocre at their peak feel insecure by CR7s natural talent, work ethic and accomplishments. Cristiano’s greatness is written in the stars, he will win important things again.

I’m not even a CR7 fan but if you put him in any of the Real Madrid/Brazil team R9 was playing in, his would have scored more and been even better .. old heads just don’t want to accept the new guys

It's personal preference, for me, football is supposed to be entertaining, which gradually diminishing since late 00s, OG Ronaldo is the most entertaining footballer and never see a player comes close to the Brazilian and never will.

2 World Cup and 1998 runner up World Cup highest goal scorer (golden shoes) 1998, 2002 "Ronaldo did things nobody had seen before. He, together with Romário and George Weah, reinvented the centre-forward position. They were the first to drop from the penalty box to pick up the ball in midfield, switch to the flanks, attract and disorientate the central defenders with their runs, their accelerations, their dribbling." -Former France striker Thierry Henry

It depends on what you are comparing but I would choose prime CR7 over prime R9 for my team regardless

Everyone saying cr7 is better should understand they were only talking about a better player in their prime also cr7 was a fan of r9 and r10 at that time they are his idols and he tried to play like them in man utd

R9 has 2 World Cup titles to his name. One in 94 & 2002. We was Superman in his prime. The Real Ronaldo

Going by longevity it's obviously Cristiano Ronaldo but Brazilian Ronaldo was basically unplayable at his absolute peak so its close overall.

CR7

These guys never step nor touched a ball will Ronaldo The team at ESPN are so talented

Brazilian Ronaldo was a Meastro scoring machine he was fun to watch one on one he was money not just depending counterattacking football

What a insult. I have seen both orginal ronaldo and new ronaldo. Orginal ronaldo was phenomenal above all 🤦🏾‍♂️

I’m Brazilian R9 is better style to watch but CR7 is a monster. I think CR7 and Messi took to different level but I still prefer to watch Ronaldinho and R9 play.

Why is it that Brazilian Ronaldo not winning a single UCL in his career is not counted against him but Messi and CR7's lack of World Cup is???

All three of them have lost their minds !