Al Ittihad striker, Karim Benzema has snubbed arch-rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he joins the long-running debate about the greatest footballer of all time.
Earlier this month, Ronaldo unequivocally granted himself GOAT status in an interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito.
The 40-year-old, who has scored a remarkable 923 career goals, said: ‘I honestly haven’t seen anyone better than me. You have to look at the numbers full stop.
‘I believe I am the most complete player who has ever existed. It’s me.
‘I do everything in football. I play well in terms of heading the ball, I’m good at free-kicks, I’m good with my left foot, I’m quick, I’m strong, I jump.
‘I am the best player ever, I believe that.’
And now, Karim Benzema, who spent nine seasons with the Portuguese at Real Madrid, has entered the debate.
The Al Ittihad striker said he believes Brazil’s Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time.
‘I think everyone can say what they want,’ Benzema told TNT Sports.
‘If he thinks he is the best in history, then he is. It depends, for me, for example, the best is Ronaldo from Brazil.’
Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil and 104 for Real Madrid during his five-year spell at the European champions.
‘I don’t like to make comparisons between players, each one has their own story, he [Cristiano] has his own and it’s a very good one,’ Benzema added.
