Argentine legend explains why Cristiano Ronaldo has 'always been better' than Lionel Messi - but admits CR7 'went too far' with GOAT claim

Portuguese superstar Ronaldo recently told La Sexta when assessing his own standing among the all-time greats: “Taste is one thing, saying this, that or that, whether you prefer Messi, Pele or [Diego] Maradona, I hear it and I respect it but to say that Cristiano isn't complete is a lie. I'm the most complete. I don't see anyone better than me and I tell you that with all my heart.”

Legendary goalkeeper Gatti believes CR7 has gone too far in that assessment, telling Bolavip: "It is public knowledge that, for me, there is not, nor was there, nor will there be anyone like Pele. Pele is unrivalled, he was something else. Cristiano was very good in recent times, but he is not close to Pele, nor are Maradona and Messi close to Pele.

“But what he says holds weight because he has been a champion of everything, a goalscorer and has played in the most important clubs in the world. It suits him well, he has more ego than me, but no, he is not the best in history. After that, for me, there are [Johan] Cruyff, Maradona, Ronaldinho and [Alfredo] Di Stefano.”

Ronaldo has five Ballons d’Or to his name, compared to Messi’s eight, but has claimed major honours at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus while still starring for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr at 40 years of age. Messi his currently with Inter Miami in MLS, having previously enjoyed spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Gatti added: “In recent times, Cristiano was more important than Messi. He played for bigger clubs, he was a bigger scorer, he always takes a risk. You have to say ‘I am the best player in history’, I have not heard Messi or Maradona say that. And he says it to you. It doesn’t sound bad to him. I love Cristiano very much, but there was no one like Pele and there will never be one. Pele was better than Maradona, Cristiano, Messi, Ronaldinho, Cruyff together.”

He went on to say: “Cristiano was better than Messi and he is better now too. That is the reality. CR7 is playing a football that is not as good, but it is at a different speed and Messi is playing in a country club. I wish there were a lot of Cristiano Ronaldos because that would improve and encourage more players who think that, feel it and don't say it. That makes him different from Messi because I've never seen him say that, take a risk like that. Then you have to prove it and Cristiano, at 40 years old, continues to prove it. But he went too far because there is no-one else like Pele.”

Ronaldo’s self belief has helped to carry him to the very top of the game. He believes that he can play on for a few years yet, as he chases down 1,000 career goals, while Messi is also expected to make the World Cup finals in 2026.