Cristiano Ronaldo: The Victim of a Backhanded Compliment
Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese footballer and five-time Ballon d’Or winner, recently found himself at the receiving end of a brutal backhanded compliment from Iraqi midfielder Ahmed Zero. The incident occurred after Zero’s team suffered a 1-0 defeat against Al Nassr in the Arab Club Champions Cup.
Following the match, Zero had the opportunity to take a photo alongside Ronaldo, and he used this moment to subtly dig at the former Real Madrid star. Zero posted the selfie on his Instagram with the caption, “With the second best player in history.” This remark sparked a colossal reaction from football fans on social media, reigniting the age-old debate over who is the greatest of all time (GOAT).
For decades, fans have argued over whether Ronaldo or his long-time rival Lionel Messi deserves the title of the GOAT. One Twitter follower commented, “He knows ball because he knows Messi is the best player,” while another fan added, “We all agreed that Ronaldo was behind Messi in the GOAT standings.” A third fan chimed in, saying, “No way! What about Pele and Maradona?” And a fourth fan jokingly stated, “He clearly knows ball. Only Ronaldo fans think he’s number 1.”
However, loyalists of Ronaldo were quick to defend their idol, leading to a heated online debate. One Ronaldo fan boldly declared, “Cristiano is the best football player in history. That is the truth.” Another fan sarcastically remarked, “But nobody knows who Ahmed Zero is,” while a third criticized Zero’s attempt at humor, stating, “Begging for a picture, then trying to be funny – what a low-level move.”
This incident comes on the heels of Ronaldo publicly declaring that the Saudi Pro League is “better” than Major League Soccer (MLS) and will soon become one of the top five leagues in the world. Several top names, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, and Jordan Henderson, have made moves to Saudi Arabia this summer. In contrast, Messi chose to join David Beckham’s MLS side, Inter Miami.
Ronaldo’s journey in Miami got off to a dream start when he scored a last-gasp free kick on his debut for Inter Miami. Meanwhile, he is set to face off against his former Madrid teammate Benzema in the final of the Arab Cup at the King Fahd Stadium on August 12.
The debate surrounding the GOAT status in football is unlikely to be settled anytime soon. Fans will continue to passionately argue for their favorite players and compare their achievements. Ronaldo and Messi have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport, and their rivalry has captivated football enthusiasts worldwide.
In conclusion, while Ahmed Zero’s backhanded compliment may have sparked a reaction from fans, it is clear that opinions on the greatest football player of all time remain divided. Ronaldo’s impressive career and numerous accolades make him a strong contender for the title, but the debate will persist as long as passionate fans continue to support their favorite players.