Cristiano Ronaldo at 40: Is He The Greatest Footballer of All Time?
In an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, Al Nassr and Portugal superstar Ronaldo declared himself "the greatest scorer in history" and that he had "never seen anyone better than me.”
"Although I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 in history for goals scored with the left foot. These are numbers, I am the most complete player who has ever existed," Ronaldo said.
"I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump ... I have never seen anyone better than me.”
The eternal debate about who is the best of all time, Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is unlikely ever to be truly settled. But, to be fair to Ronaldo, he has the stats to back up his claims.
As Ronaldo celebrates turning 40 with modesty, we take a look at 40 of his incredible records.
International
217 - Most international appearances (Portugal)
135 - Most international goals (Portugal)
48 - Most international teams scored against
40 - Most goals in European Championship qualifying
33 - Oldest player to score a hat-trick at a Fifa World Cup (33 years, 130 days)
32 - Most goals (club or country) in a calendar year
22 - Most matches played in World Cup finals
14 - Most goals in the European Championship
12 - First player to score in 10, 11 and 12 consecutive international tournaments
10 - First man to score 10 international hat-tricks (against Luxembourg on September 6, 2021)
6 - First and only player to score in six European Championship finals tournaments
7 - Most goals at the Fifa Club World Cup
5 - Most Fifa World Cups scored in
Individual
923 - Most goals in men's football
454 - Most goals after turning 30 years old
171 - Most goals scored via penalty kick (excluding shoot-outs)
151 - Most headed goals
50 - Only player to score more than 50 goals in seven consecutive calendar years
Uefa Champions League and Europe
197 - Most appearances in Uefa club competitions
183 - Most Uefa Champions League appearances
145 - Most goals scored in Uefa club competitions
140 - Most goals in the Uefa Champions League
115 - Most career wins in the Uefa Champions League/European Cup
67 - Most goals scored in a Uefa Champions League knockout phase
19 - Most penalty kicks in Uefa Champions League
17 - Most goals in a Uefa Champions League season
11 - Most goals scored in a Uefa Champions League group stage
10 - First player to score goals against a single opponent (Juventus) in the Uefa Champions League
6 - First player to score in all six Uefa Champions League group matches
3 - First and only player to score in three Uefa Champions League finals
Real Madrid
450 - Most goals by any Real Madrid player
335 - Number of appearances it took Ronaldo to score 350 goals for one club
61 - Most penalties scored in La Liga history
34 - Most hat-tricks in La Liga
22 - Most goals in Madrid derbies
18 - Most goals in El Clasico
8 - Most La Liga hat-tricks in a season
Juventus
37 - Most goals scored in a single season
11 - Most consecutive Serie A matches scored in
Al Nassr
35 - Most goals in a single Saudi Pro League season
