Former Brazilian star Ronaldo paid an unexpected compliment to his Argentinian rival, Messi. The former striker acknowledged the significance of the Argentine's achievement of becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 16 goals, tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose. He stated: "For the football gods, this statistic proves he has surpassed all others.".
Messi designated as the legitimate top scorer
Ronaldo also emphasized Messi's merit. According to him, if a player is to hold the title of top scorer in World Cup history, the Argentinian is the most obvious candidate. "If anyone deserves the title of top scorer in World Cup history, it's Messi.", he added.
But what strikes Ronaldo most is the age at which Messi continues to make history. At 38, the Argentinian remains effective, decisive, and capable of breaking records at the highest international level. Ronaldo highlighted this contrast with his own trajectory. : " He's 38 years old, my God! At 38, I'd already stopped four years ago and weighed 120 kilos., he exclaimed. A highly symbolic compliment, given the fierce rivalry between Brazil and Argentina…
Ronaldo, injuries and excess weight
As a reminder, Ronaldo Nazário officially ended his career in February 2011, playing for Corinthians, at just 34 years old. Worn down by injuries, particularly to his knees, the former Brazilian striker was no longer able to perform consistently at the highest level as he had during his glory years at Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, or with the Seleção. His retirement was also marked by much-discussed weight problems, sometimes discussed with excessive harshness. Ronaldo explained that he suffered from hypothyroidism, a hormonal disorder that can lead to weight gain and slow metabolism. He also stated that some of his treatments were incompatible with the anti-doping rules of the time, which complicated his situation. When he jokes today that at 38 he had already retired four years prior and weighed 120 kilos (265 pounds), he is primarily highlighting the stark contrast between his own career's end, hampered by physical limitations, and Messi's exceptional longevity, still a decisive force at the highest level at the same age.
