Does Ronaldo (the real one) get the recognition he deserves?

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

The greatest Brazilian forward ever was Romario. Ronaldo doesn't even come close.

Bebeto was also really good

Him and Romario together were a lethal pairing on their day

At the end of the day though, I don't think any of Romario, Bebeto or Ronaldo would have improved that amazing 1970 team. All great players yes, but those 94, 98 and 02 teams weren't classically Brazilian, like the sides in the 60's, 70's and 80's were (Although I do have a fondness for the 94 team and their clinical efficiency. They in effect 'Out Italied" Italy in that tournament)

 

[DrEFC]

What I hoped Rooney would become for us :/

 

[hallamblue]

In my opinion Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best of a moderate generation of players. The original Ronaldo was a super striker, I remember Bobby Robson raving about him when he was 17 and he knew a good player when he saw one.

 

[artetas_biggest_fan]

Saw a comment that highlighted similarities between Ronaldo and Muhammad Ali. They both had two careers, at their physcial peak both were rapid in the first part; Ronaldo's running was faster as was his footwork on the ball, while Ali could move with ease and avoid getting hit. Then in the second part, following almost 3 years out for Ronaldo and 4 years for Ali they had piled on the weight, both noticeably chunkier and slower...yet both still achieved great things with Ronaldo (now predominantly a penalty box player) top scoring in the World Cup to win it for Brazil, and Ali winning the title twice more, the second where his movement was more limited, got a beating, and let Foreman tire himself out.

 

[upthetoffees]

I think the reason you hear Ronaldo being associated with the Portugese player is because the Brazilian Ronaldo is no longer relevant as he's not an active player... I thought that was pretty common knowledge.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Il Fenomeno was tremendous but let's ease up on disparaging Cristiano who is probably one of the 5 or 10 best footballers ever

 

[gonetomorrow]

Today's Ronaldo is quicker than his Brazilian namesake.
He doesn't seem to take men on as much as he did when he was with United but he gets the goals!

 

[jackyboy]

Careca as well

 

[toffeejack]

my favourite ever non everton player

 

[obc]

Unfortunately he is known as "Fat Ronaldo"

Was in Rio taking a jeep tour, headed from the wonderful beaches up to a forest near the city when our guide pointed out a super expensive apartment building on either Ipanema or Leblon beach. "That is where Fat Ronaldo took some girls home to party... and found out they weren't girls."

Poor dude, even Brazilians refer to him as "Fat Ronaldo"...

 

[GerryandthePaceMerchants]

His knee blow out (and subsequent one on his return when playing for Inter) meaning he was out for near 2 years IIRC, probably means that the Stat-fetishists will look at his goals tally as vastly inferior to Minor Ronaldo and Messi, plus he just missed out on the AND IT'S LIIIIVVVEEEEEE explosion of television football punditry and media.

To me he's up their with the greats, he was a force of nature and I'd rather have him in my side at his peak than either of the other two.

That said you can you imagine a front three of Messi, Ronaldo and Minor Ronaldo?

Spicy.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

His knee blow out (and subsequent one on his return when playing for Inter) meaning he was out for near 2 years IIRC, probably means that the Stat-fetishists will look at his goals tally as vastly inferior to Minor Ronaldo and Messi, plus he just missed out on the AND IT'S LIIIIVVVEEEEEE explosion of television football punditry and media.

To me he's up their with the greats, he was a force of nature and I'd rather have him in my side at his peak than either of the other two.

That said you can you imagine a front three of Messi, Ronaldo and Minor Ronaldo?

Spicy.

Make that Messi - Ronaldo - Ronaldinho/Zidane and it's even better. I'm not sure CR really supports others so well.

 

[Kurt.]

Shhhh.... i'll whisper it.... there are still some people in this world who believe Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Messi.... I know... strange innit..poor souls.

 

[WA Toffee]

His knee blow out (and subsequent one on his return when playing for Inter) meaning he was out for near 2 years IIRC, probably means that the Stat-fetishists will look at his goals tally as vastly inferior to Minor Ronaldo and Messi, plus he just missed out on the AND IT'S LIIIIVVVEEEEEE explosion of television football punditry and media.

To me he's up their with the greats, he was a force of nature and I'd rather have him in my side at his peak than either of the other two.

That said you can you imagine a front three of Messi, Ronaldo and Minor Ronaldo?

Spicy.

Not only that, he also missed out on the free entry to the champions league that Barca etc get every year, therefore his goal tally in Europe doesn't look as good, especially missing on the regular goal fests against the minnows that Messi and C Ronaldo enjoyed

 

[RFUS]

He was just the best.

I think part of what makes Cristiano so good is his dedication to fitness and improving himself. Maybe retro Ron didn't have that, same goes for Ronaldihno. But in terms of raw talent, damn, what a player. Admittedly I was a wee tyke when he was in his pomp so my critical analysis of his game may be flimsy, but as a kid he was just a God.