Brazilian football icon, Ronaldo De Lima has rated Paris Saint Germain forward, Lionel Messi and Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo above himself in his all-time best players ranking.
Ronaldo De Lima is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time despite having to battle with injuries in most parts of his football career.
The former Real Madrid striker scored a total of 247 league goals in 343 games for all the seven clubs he played for which include Inter Milan, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, and PSV.
Ronaldo won a total of 14 major titles for both club and country before he retired from professional football in 2011. He scored 62 goals in 98 games for Brazil’s national team.
On an individual level, Ronaldo De Lima was named the best FIFA World Player of the Year three times and won the prestigious Ballon d’Or twice, three less than that of Cristiano Ronaldo, and five less than that of Messi.
Despite all his achievements in the game, the 45-year-old Brazilian football icon who is now a businessman and owner of Spanish club Real Valladolid refused to name himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
According to Ronaldo De Lima, Argentina football icon, Diego Maradona, Brazil icon, Pele, Argentine Lionel Messi, and Portuguese Ronaldo are the best in the history of the game.
“For me, in the classification of the best in history, the four names would be Pele, Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, they are the top four in the history of football”, he said according to Goal.
Ronaldo De Lima wishes he could sign Kylian Mbappe at Real Valladolid
Ronaldo De Lima has over 50 percent stake in Real Valladolid which made him the major stakeholder of the club. Hence, he has a huge say on the kind of players the club signs.
But he can only bring in his dream players if he has the money to do so and his club is attractive enough for top football stars. If Ronaldo has his way, one of the players he would have signed would have been Paris Saint Germain striker Kylian Mbappe.
According to the Brazilian football icon, the French football star reminds him of his football career and would want to have him at Real Valladolid if the club was able to afford him.
“I would sign Mbappe, he is the one who most reminds me of me and my playing times”, Ronaldo said.
Mbappe is one of the most valuable players in the transfer market. His contract with PSG will expire on June 30, 2022, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is not interested in renewing his stay at PSG. His dream is to join Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants are also interested in bringing the French footballer to Spain during the coming summer transfer window.
