Former Portugal Star Explains Why Ronaldo is Bigger Than Messi And Maradona

• Cristiano Ronaldo is on a higher level than Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona
• That's according to former Portugal star Fernando Meira
• Per Meira, the Al Nassr superstar is the most talented he has ever seen

Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses players like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, attaining a level of talent unprecedented in the eyes of former Portugal star Fernando Meira.

According to Meira, the Al Nassr superstar, through two decades of dedication and footballing brilliance, stands as the most talented player he has ever witnessed.

Ronaldo, alongside his enduring rival Messi, has collectively dominated the sport for the past two decades, continuing to exhibit remarkable prowess.

Acknowledging their extraordinary accomplishments and distinctive excellence, it's inevitable that the duo are compared to late legends Pele and Diego Maradona.

However, in Meira's perspective, Ronaldo stands unparalleled, as he elaborates:

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“I had the privilege of playing alongside Figo, and other stars, both in the national team and at clubs, but Ronaldo is on a higher level. Not just ours, but even in comparison with some of the greatest of all time like Messi or Maradona,” he said in a podcast posted on Portuguese outlet Sic Noticias via Sportskeeda.

Messi, Ronaldo vie for Globe Soccer awards

Meanwhile, Messi and Ronaldo are up for Globe Soccer awards in the Best Men's Player category, competing with Mohamed Salah, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe.

Ronaldo leads with 52.5% of the votes, Messi has 10.2%, Salah has 22.5%, and the rest are distributed among other nominees. Messi, the recent Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year winner, led Argentina to World Cup victory last year.

Bernardo lauds Ronaldo as true Portuguese GOAT

Relatedly, Sports Brief reported on Bernardo lauding Ronaldo as Portugal's greatest footballer, while also praising iconic Benfica forward Eusebio da Silva Ferreira in discussions about the country's ultimate footballing legend.

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Silva, a product of Benfica's renowned academy, shares roots with Eusebio, regarded as one of the sport's finest players. This connection makes it tough for him to choose between the 1965 Ballon d'Or recipient and the five-time awardee.

Although he's hesitant to declare the ultimate Portuguese GOAT, the 28-year-old expressed admiration for Ronaldo in an interview.