Renowned Italian manager Fabio Capello has sparked a fresh debate in the football world by asserting that Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo does not reach the same legendary heights as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, or Ronaldo Nazário. During a featured appearance on the Egyptian program Hat-trick on ON Sport, the former Real Madrid and England boss distinguished between high-level athleticism and the innate brilliance he associates with the game’s greatest icons. Capello argued that while the Portuguese captain remains a master of efficiency, he lacks the specific “genius” that defined his three counterparts.
The veteran tactician, who managed the Brazilian Ronaldo during his tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu, believes the Portugal star occupies a separate category of excellence centered on physical discipline and goal-scoring volume. Capello suggests that the “spark” found in the feet of Messi or the late Maradona creates a level of artistry that remains unmatched by Ronaldo’s professional rigor. This assessment comes despite the 41-year-old’s continued dominance in the Saudi Pro League and his vocal self-assurance as the greatest player to ever grace the pitch.
“Cristiano [Ronaldo] is a great goalscorer and an incredible athlete, but he doesn’t have the genius of Messi, Maradona or Ronaldo Nazario. That genius that the others possessed is absent in Cristiano. He can’t be compared to those three,” Capello stated on ON Sport.
The comparison highlights a long-standing philosophical divide among football purists who weigh technical inspiration against statistical achievements. Cristiano Ronaldo currently boasts an unprecedented 961 official career goals, a figure that places him at the vanguard of the sport’s all-time records. However, for Capello, these numbers do not bridge the gap to what he describes as “genius ability,” a quality he maintains is a rare gift rather than a result of training.
As the veteran striker continues his journey toward the 1,000-goal milestone, critiques from figures like Capello serve as a reminder of the subjective nature of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate. While the Portugal national team captain prepares for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the football community remains divided between those who value his relentless productivity and those who, like Capello, prioritize the creative flair of historical legends.
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