Zico Backs Cristiano Ronaldo’s Claim as Football’s Greatest Ever

Brazilian football legend Zico has thrown his support behind Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese star’s bold declaration that no footballer, dead or alive, is better than him.

Ronaldo, 40, recently claimed that he is the most complete player ever, ranking himself above Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pelé. While his statement has sparked debate among fans and pundits, Zico believes Ronaldo has every right to make such a claim.

“He Became the Best Through Hard Work” – Zico

Speaking in an interview reported by The NassrZone via Sportskeeda, Zico dismissed any notion that Ronaldo’s statement was arrogant.

“No, he absolutely should say that. People talk about him as if he’s just a goalscorer, but that’s not true, man. Cristiano is a great reference for any footballer because he wasn’t born with the talent of other players—he became the best through sheer dedication and effort.

“I hope he scores 2,000 goals or more. He rarely gets injured and never stops training. He has dedicated his life to football, and that deserves applause and respect.”

Ronaldo’s Numbers Speak for Themselves

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus star has already amassed an astonishing 924 goals and 257 assists in 1,263 career appearances, numbers unmatched in modern football history. Despite his age, he continues to perform at the highest level for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Opinion: Is Ronaldo Right to Call Himself the Greatest?

Football greatness is always subjective—some believe natural talent should define the greatest player, while others argue that dedication and longevity should be the benchmark.

Ronaldo may not possess the effortless dribbling of Messi, the flair of Maradona, or the elegance of Pelé, but his unmatched work ethic, consistency, and goal-scoring ability have kept him at the top for nearly two decades.

While opinions will always be divided, one fact remains—Cristiano Ronaldo has earned his place among the all-time greats. Whether he is the greatest is up for debate, but his numbers and legacy are undeniable.