Why 'scariest' Cristiano Ronaldo trumps Lionel Messi in GOAT debate 'every day' – with Nations League rival saying Portuguese superstar should never be written off

Two superstars of world football have spent the best part of two decades battling it out for the right to be considered the greatest of all time. Many have Messi at the top of that chart, with the Argentine icon now the most-decorated player in history – with eight Ballons d’Or and a World Cup crown figuring prominently on his glittering CV.

Ronaldo, though, has five Golden Balls of his own and has also broken countless records down the years. He is showing no sign of slowing down at 40 years of age, as he remains a talismanic presence for Portugal and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.

CR7 is back in trophy-hunting mode at present, as Portugal prepare to face Denmark in the Nations League quarter-finals, with Riemer telling O Jogo when asked if Ronaldo still offers the biggest threat to any rival: "Yes, what a player! I think I've been asked, curiously, in the last three or four interviews I've done: ‘Messi or Ronaldo?’ For me, it's Ronaldo, every day!

"I've always admired this guy. I think he's not only achieved incredible numbers throughout his career - top scorer, trophies, there's no arguing about that - but he's also a great example for young people. His professionalism, the way he looks after his body, the way he's managed to continue all these years at the highest level."

Riemer added: "I think the big mistake a lot of people make with Ronaldo is that they've been too busy writing him off in recent years and every time they try to write him off, he becomes the top scorer, like now in the Nations League. So I have the deepest respect for him.

"I think he's still one of the scariest players you can face and I think he's in great shape. He's not the same as he was before, he's a different footballer now, but that doesn't make him any worse. He's different but he's still a great player. We have a lot of respect for him and we're looking forward to facing him."

Ronaldo, who has seen an extension to his lucrative contract in the Middle East touted, remains in the process of chasing down 1,000 career goals. He will not consider retirement until hitting that mark, with the expectation being that he will play on until, and potentially beyond, the World Cup finals in 2026.