A lot people keep saying that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best football players in the past 15 years. The Argentine and Portuguese probably the best among all front line players. But Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has been seen better and it was Ronaldo Nazario, the original one.
Speaking to LiveScore, Mourinho said former Brazilian striker Ronaldo is a great player ever. The Portuguese manager believes Ronaldo is one of the hardest working footballers and it is amazing that he played at a level where people compare him to Barcelona forward Messi and Juventus forward Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo ‘El Fenomeno’, is the best. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have had longer careers, they have remained at the top every day for 15 years.” Mourinho said.
“However, if we are talking strictly about talent and skill, nobody surpasses Ronaldo Nazario. When he was at Barcelona with Bobby Robson, I realised that he was the best player I’d ever seen take to the field.” Mourinho added.
Ronaldo was a prolific goalscorer, and despite being more of an individualistic attacker. He won the World Cup twice, and captured two Ballon d’Or trophies during a glittering career campaign playing for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo, he became severely affected by serious knee injuries he would suffer from late 1999 onward and the subsequent weigh gain during his inactivity, which limited his speed, fitness, and mobility.
“Injuries killed a career that could have been even more incredible, but the talent that 19-year-old boy had something incredible.” Mourinho said.
Ronaldo retired in 2011, he scored 414 goals in 616 appearances for Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Brazilian national team.