When it comes to finding the back of the net, there a few better than Cristiano Ronaldo. In fact, there is every argument to suggest he is number one on that front. After all, no professional has scored more goals than him in the history of the sport.
Be it for Portugal, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus or Al-Nassr, the iconic forward has caused opposition goalkeepers sleepless nights all across the globe. Truthfully, he hasn't struggled to score wherever he's played.
That said, he must have found some environments more difficult than others. While many rank the Premier League as the best division in the sport, Ronaldo once admitted that he found another more of a challenge when it came to goalscoring.
Romelu Lukaku Revealed Ronaldo Was Impressed by Serie A's Quality
"He told me this is the hardest defensive league in the world"
Speaking in 2019, two-time Serie A winner Romelu Lukaku revealed to the New York Times that Ronaldo had told him Italy was the 'hardest defensive league in the world'. The Belgian striker explained:
"He told me this [Serie A] is the hardest defensive league in the world.
"He said he’d scored goals everywhere, but this was the toughest place to do it. And if Cristiano Ronaldo thinks it’s difficult, then it must be really difficult. It is harder than England.
"The football is more intense there, but here everything is pattern of play."
In the years since this reveal from Lukaku, Ronaldo has gone on to play in the Saudi Pro League. However, it's very unlikely that he would rank that division as more difficult than any of the major European leagues he has played in.
Italian football is notorious for its defensive football, so there is a certain logic to Ronaldo's comments. That said, it's not as if he had no luck in Italy. After all, he won Serie A twice during his three-year stint with Juventus.
Ronaldo games + no. of goals scored in every league he has played in
Ronaldo's Toughest Individual Opponent Was an Englishman
"Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole"
Although the Portuguese forward found Serie A defenders difficult to score past in general, he once revealed that an English defender in the Premier League was his toughest individual opponent. Speaking of Chelsea icon Ashley Cole, Ronaldo admitted:
"Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game."
Cole did actually spend a bit of time in Italy too, joining Roma between 2014 and 2016 towards the end of his career. During this stint, their paths did not cross, with Ronaldo not joining Juventus until 2018 (perhaps the Al-Nassr man was relieved).
Cristiano Ronaldo looking dejected Related
Why Pep Guardiola Turned Down Cristiano Ronaldo at Man City
The Catalan coach had the chance to sign one of football's greatest ever players, but turned him down
Stats via SofaScore - as of 25/05/25