Brazil Icon Ronaldo Nazario Picks His All-Time Greats: Opts for Ronaldinho but Leaves Out Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo, who dazzled fans at clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, and also shone brightly in the international arena with Brazil, made headlines with his exclusive list.

In a candid interview with The Guardian in 2022, Ronaldo, known for his lethal finishing and quick feet, named what he believes are the top eight players in football history. 

This list includes Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Pelé, Marco van Basten, and Ronaldinho, with a special mention for himself. 

Ronaldo's selection spans multiple generations, blending the artistry and brilliance of both past and present icons.

Remarkably, Ronaldo's list excludes Cristiano Ronaldo as reported by Daily Mail, a stalwart of modern football known for his remarkable goal-scoring record and longevity in the game. 

This omission has sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike, considering Cristiano's impressive tally of 891 career goals.

While some of Ronaldo's picks like Maradona, Pelé, Cruyff, and Beckenbauer hail from an era before his time, they are unanimously recognized as legends. 

His contemporaries Marco van Basten and Lionel Messi, though never teammates have left an indelible mark on the sport as well. 

Notably, Ronaldo shared the pitch with Ronaldinho, both at AC Milan and in the Brazilian national team, forming a formidable duo that led Brazil to glory, including their triumphant 2002 World Cup campaign.