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A BATTLE OF TWO RONALDOS: WHO IS GREATER?

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Distinguishing between football’s two Ronaldos has been a problem since the emergence of Cristiano as one of the world’s greatest players. Brazil’s Ronaldo won  FIFA’s World Player of the Year three times before the age of 21 but was eventually surpassed by his Portuguese namesake.

In an Instagram interview with Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, the Brazilian spoke about being referred to as the ‘real Ronaldo’.

The 43-year-old who also played for Real Madrid, said the two cannot be compared but his namesake will remain one of the best

He commented: ‘For Cristiano, it must be boring to hear that I am the real Ronaldo.

‘People cannot be compared. Cristiano will remain in football history for the goals and for the continuity he has achieved. He will remain one of the best, like Messi.’

The Portugal captain won more trophies than the Brazilian during his time at Real Madrid

The Brazilian won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002 and was runner-up in 1998.

He commented: ‘For Cristiano, it must be boring to hear that I am the real Ronaldo.

‘People cannot be compared. Cristiano will remain in football history for the goals and for the continuity he has achieved. He will remain one of the best, like Messi.’

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The Brazilian won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002 and was runner-up in 1998.

In the latter tournament he was famously left out of the starting XI when the team sheets were handed in but eventually started the game after recovering from a mystery injury.

But his side were beaten by Zinedine Zidane’s France with Ronaldo unable to have a meaningful impact on the match.

Both Ronaldos have played for Real Madrid but Cristiano won more trophies including four Champions League titles.

The Portugal captain has managed to stay fairly injury-free during his glittering career, a fortune that did not come to Brazil’s Ronaldo who suffered from recurring knee problems.

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The Juventus player shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 35 with 21 goals in 22 games in Serie A this season. 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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