Cristiano Ronaldo said he respects fans who prefer Lionel Messi, Pelé or Diego Maradona, but said statistics show he's the most complete player ever.

Both athletes have competed against each other multiple times in both club and international matches. While Ronaldo has 915 career goals and 256 assists in 1,254 appearances, Messi has 850 goals and 379 assists in 1,083 appearances. However, Messi has more Ballon d'Or best player awards (eight) than Ronaldo (five).

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the greatest football player in history, ahead of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pele.

In the modern game, in terms of experience at the highest level, very few can compete with Cristiano Ronaldo. Now on the verge of his 40th birthday, the Portuguese forward has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world since making his debut as a 17-year-old in September 2002.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest figures in soccer history, defining an era alongside Lionel Messi in a legendary rivalry that spanned over 15 years. In his most recent interview, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke candidly about his long-standing rivalry with the Argentine star.