A striker who earned himself the nickname 'O Fenomeno' at the peak of his powers does not want to be compared to a namesake of the modern era
The identity of the ‘real Ronaldo’ is not an argument a former Brazilian striker wants to get into, with the World Cup winner claiming he is “so different” from namesake Cristiano.
That moniker has become synonymous with success over recent times, with two iconic figures bearing the same name on their back.
During the late 90s and early 21st century, a fearsome frontman landed two World Cup winners’ medals, an enviable haul of club honours and three World Player of the Year awards.
As the powers of ‘O Fenomeno’ began to fade, another Ronaldo stepped up and helped himself to countless records, five Champions League crowns and five Ballons d’Or.
The latter is now on the books of Juventus, having previously starred for Manchester United and Real Madrid, and is considered to be one of the finest performers of all time.
The original Ronaldo is, however, reluctant to be drawn on comparisons between two legendary forwards, telling Gazzetta dello Sport when quizzed on the ‘real’ tag: “It's something that has always amused me, but it makes no sense. We are so different, me and him.”
Pressed to pick out the main differences between the two, the former Barcelona, Inter and Madrid striker said: “Age, above anything else. Nine years of difference, different years in which we played.
“Football has changed so much recently, and it changes faster and faster.
“I do not want to say that 'my time' was more difficult, but we faced very different situations and with different teams.”
Ronaldo went on to add: “The impact within the Italian championship [is also different].
“I was 20, I had already achieved things at PSV and Barcelona, but not a lot, certainly not everything. I was still a project of a champion, or at least I felt so.
“Cristiano arrived in Italy at the age of 33, at the height of his maturity as a player.”
While seeing marked differences between himself and a talismanic presence at Juve, Ronaldo admits both men boast the same insatiable appetite for goals.
He added, ahead of a Serie A clash between the Bianconeri and Inter on Friday: “I would say we were different in the role we played, even if he now players a lot more in the middle and closer to the goal.
“Perhaps in the past an assist satisfied him as much as a goal. Now, I don’t think it does. In that desire for goals we are equal, yes.”
Ronaldo ended his playing career with 352 club efforts to his name and 62 in 98 appearances for Brazil.
His namesake already has 85 international goals for Portugal, in 154 outings, and a stunning haul of 584 strikes for the domestic sides he has represented.
aryan-tyagi
244
most unlucky player of all time, as a defender you couldn't do any thing to stop him, he had everything in his locker, man could shoot, dribble, do insane skills, had god like pace, physically was very strong and at the age 17 he was already a world cup winner, at a point of time every player was copying his style, if it went for 2 injuries he would had been the greatest of all time. #goat
Asimkhan_007
208
Brazilian Ronaldo is only good forward . 6/10 Cristiano Ronaldo is god of forward midfielder and good sports man .11/10 At is age non of footballer as been sold to more then €100 millions.
kiwbcituy
205
yesterday it was Messi and Pele, now it's Ronaldo and cr7, cr7 has a better career than Ronaldo, he has won more trophies, broken more records and won more ballon dors, but individually r9 was better than cr7, he was too good for maldini and Nesta to handle, his speed, his dribbling skills, he creates chances, he provides assists for his teammates, in fact he was not a only a striker, he was more than a striker,
EminenceBASIT
168
Football is a game where team effort lead to success..Ronaldo with his team then was a great squad with many talismen and contributed to their team glory whereas CR7 squad or Portugal is also great but feeble to conquer the world cup..If you want to rate their performance in all competition,you can never ever rate Delima near CR7..They both share the same skills but CR7 mentality rate him above Delima..In term of goals and achievement,we all know better..
Tewadekty
161
in my opinion both the two Ronaldo are good players but the reality is who is best the position of striker I think that Luis nazzaro Ronaldo the Brazilian striker is on of the best strikers on the planet and this world football
Salmanfromkerala
146
Brazilean Ronaldo didn't even won the chambions league while Cristiano has 5 ucl and the all time top scorer at the same time Ronaldo 🇧🇷 have 2 world cup to his name and 2nd best top scorer while cristiano ronaldo didn't even have a goal in knock out stage of wc. but he have a euro cup 2016 to his name... we can't compare this Cristiano to a peak brazilean Ronaldo... if we want to..then we have to look the both players peak time.. at thier peak time both of them were simply outstanding but Brazilean Ronaldo was much better But it is clearly evident that Cristiano have great career than brazilean ronaldo
Skullkrusher
112
I think Ronaldo (CR7) Is much better than Brazilian 1. Someone would say CR7 had no world cup but no one is seeing he is carrying Portugal. CR7 has 5 ballon d'or and Messi fans...
Tuklmtz
64
wow some kids here and CR7 fans won't accept the truth,Brazil Ronaldo was just fenomeno in his peck, not even CR7 peck come close. talking about achievements, CR7 fans only talk about goals and ballon o'rd which is now a joke, late 199s and early 2000s when they're more opposite in times of players to a ballon o'rd you have to be extremely good not a joke it is now, Brazil Ronaldo is just a freak to watch has the talent of Messi the skills of Ronaldinho and the goals scoring ability of CR7. a player that can score all kinds of goals and dribble any keeper, hatoff Ronaldo de Lima, just because of injuries you didn't had longevity. Sorry kids and CR7 fan boys go watch Ronaldo de Lima footage on YouTube l rest my case