Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest football players of all time. There is often strong debate over who is number one, but the player himself doesn't seem to have any doubts over his quality.
He famously once said: "I think I'm the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it's me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I'm fast, I'm strong.
"One thing is taste…if you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that. But saying Ronaldo isn't complete...I'm the most complete. I haven't seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart."
With that in mind, it is interesting to note that Ronaldo has admitted that there are two players on his level from the same era in which he played. Lionel Messi, of course, is one of them. The other is iconic France midfielder Zinedine Zidane.
Cristiano Ronaldo Praised Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane
The best he "fought with"
Speaking in his infamously explosive tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo was asked which other players stood out as the best of his era, excluding himself. When Messi's name was suggested, he replied: “Probably [Messi], yes.
“Him [and] Zidane probably - that I have played and fought with.”
Adding more to his praise about Messi, Ronaldo insisted that there was no animosity between the pair and likened their relationship to that of a teammate. He said: “Amazing player, he is magic. As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. we share.
“So, I have a great relationship with him. I'm not a friend of his in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it's like a team-mate.
“He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they're from Argentina. My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good. What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”
Zinedine Zidane Related
Zinedine Zidane Named the ‘Big Club’ He Regrets Not Playing For During His Career
Zidane starred for many big clubs, but there was one he was desperate to join and didn't.
Ronaldo Under Zidane as Real Madrid Manager
Games
Goals
Assists
Ronaldo Also Loved Zidane as Real Madrid Manager
"Zidane managed the group very intelligently"
This wasn't the first time Ronaldo had praised Zidane either. Of course, both men are Real Madrid legends and the Frenchman also coached the Portugal star as they won three Champions League titles together.
Talking about his former manager in 2019, he spoke fondly of his ability to get the best out of a squad full of superstars: "I think Zidane managed the group very intelligently," the Portuguese star said.
"It's not an easy situation because all players want to play a lot. He did a very smart job, involved all the players and it was very beneficial."