Karim Benzema dismisses Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim to be the greatest footballer of all time, naming Brazil’s Ronaldo as the true GOAT.

Karim Benzema has sparked a fiery debate in the world of football after delivering a stunning rebuttal to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent claim of being the greatest footballer of all time.

The former Real Madrid star, who now plays for Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, has made headlines for publicly stating that he does not believe Ronaldo is the best player in history, even going so far as to name Brazil’s Ronaldo, the double World Cup winner, as the true GOAT.

Ronaldo’s self-proclaimed GOAT status has garnered widespread attention since his interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito earlier this month.

In the interview, the 40-year-old Portuguese forward confidently declared, “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.”

Ronaldo went on to highlight his all-around abilities, from his heading and free-kick expertise to his speed and strength, adding, “I am the best player ever, I believe that.”

But Benzema, who played alongside Ronaldo for nine seasons at Real Madrid, was quick to dismiss the notion. Speaking to TNT Sports, the French striker stated, “If he thinks he is the best in history, then he is. It depends, for me, for example, the best is Ronaldo from Brazil.”

The comments are likely to ruffle feathers, especially given the intense rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi fans, with many also pointing to Lionel Messi’s eight Ballon d’Ors in comparison to Ronaldo’s six.

Benzema’s remarks have reignited the longstanding debate over who should be crowned the greatest of all time. The French striker, who won the 2022 Ballon d’Or after a stellar season with Real Madrid, has clearly earned the right to share his opinion on the matter.

However, his choice of Brazil’s Ronaldo as the best player in history has raised eyebrows, particularly as it contrasts with the widely-held belief that either Ronaldo or Messi holds that title.

The Brazil-born Ronaldo, who dominated world football in the late 1990s and early 2000s, remains one of the most beloved players in the history of the sport.

His two World Cup victories with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in football, despite struggles with injuries that marred his career.

His technical brilliance, pace, and ability to score goals made him a phenomenon, and for many, he is still the benchmark for what a world-class striker should be.

Benzema’s admiration for Brazil’s Ronaldo is not surprising, as the two share a similar playing style. Both players were known for their clinical finishing, intelligent movement off the ball, and ability to score goals from nearly any position on the pitch.

Benzema has long been considered one of the top strikers in Europe, and his time spent playing alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid gave him unique insight into the career of one of the most successful footballers in history.

Despite his own remarkable success, including winning La Liga titles, Champions League trophies, and the Ballon d’Or, Benzema has made it clear that he doesn’t like to get involved in comparisons between players.

However, the recent comments about Ronaldo’s status as the GOAT will undoubtedly spark further debate, particularly among fans of the Portuguese star.

Benzema, while respectful of Ronaldo’s legacy, seems to believe that Brazil’s Ronaldo set the standard for the position in a way that few players, including Cristiano, have managed to replicate.

The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi is often the focal point of such debates, with both players boasting numerous records and accolades that place them at the top of football’s all-time greats.

Yet, the inclusion of Brazil’s Ronaldo in this conversation adds a new layer of complexity to the discussion, as many fans still view him as the prototype for modern strikers.

Benzema’s comments are especially intriguing given his history with Cristiano Ronaldo. During their time together at Real Madrid, the pair formed one of the most lethal attacking duos in football history.

Their combined efforts helped the club win multiple Champions League titles and domestic trophies.

Benzema’s role as a supporting player allowed Ronaldo to shine as the team’s primary goal-scorer, but over the years, Benzema’s own game evolved, and he became a world-class striker in his own right.

His performances in the 2021-2022 season, where he played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory, only strengthened his case as one of the game’s elite forwards.

The public disagreement between Benzema and Ronaldo could have serious ramifications when the two players meet on the pitch in the Saudi Pro League.

Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s team, and Al Ittihad, Benzema’s current club, will undoubtedly face off in what promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested match.

Fans of both players will be watching closely to see if their on-field rivalry matches the intensity of their off-field comments.

As the debate over the greatest footballer of all time continues to rage, Benzema’s comments add an interesting twist to the conversation.

While Ronaldo’s supporters will undoubtedly continue to defend his claim to the GOAT title, Benzema’s preference for Brazil’s Ronaldo and his own rise to prominence show that the conversation about greatness is far from settled.

As football evolves and new stars emerge, the question of who deserves to be called the greatest will likely remain one of the most hotly debated topics in the sport.