Legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario, revered for his spellbinding skills on the pitch from 1993 to 2011, has recently shared his views on the greatest footballers of all time.
Ronaldo, who dazzled fans at clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, and also shone brightly in the international arena with Brazil, made headlines with his exclusive list.
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This list includes Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Pelé, Marco van Basten, and Ronaldinho, with a special mention for himself.
Ronaldo's selection spans multiple generations, blending the artistry and brilliance of both past and present icons.
Surprising Exclusions and Personal Connections
Remarkably, Ronaldo's list excludes Cristiano Ronaldo as reported by Daily Mail, a stalwart of modern football known for his remarkable goal-scoring record and longevity in the game.
This omission has sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike, considering Cristiano's impressive tally of 891 career goals.
While some of Ronaldo's picks like Maradona, Pelé, Cruyff, and Beckenbauer hail from an era before his time, they are unanimously recognized as legends.
His contemporaries Marco van Basten and Lionel Messi, though never teammates have left an indelible mark on the sport as well.
Notably, Ronaldo shared the pitch with Ronaldinho, both at AC Milan and in the Brazilian national team, forming a formidable duo that led Brazil to glory, including their triumphant 2002 World Cup campaign.