Louis Saha claims “robot” Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest ever footballer. Ex-United striker Saha won two Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and various other accolades with the Red Devils, scoring 28 goals across his 86 appearances.
The French forward also appeared for other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Fulham, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. Saha spent four seasons playing alongside a young Ronaldo, who had signed for United after impressing then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson while playing for Sporting CP.
The Portuguese icon had lots of success in his first stint, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League – but his most silverware-laden years were spent with Real Madrid.
With a continuing career spanning over two decades, Ronaldo has won four Champions Leagues, two Serie A titles, two La Ligas, many domestic cups and even a European Championship on the international stage.
The debate continues to rage on over whether Ronaldo has Lionel Messi pipped as the greatest player of the modern game, with many arguing that Messi’s 2022 World Cup leapfrogged him above the Al-Nassr star.
However, Saha is full of belief that his 40-year-old former team-mate is the best there ever was on the pitch, as he told Genting Casino that Ronaldo is the “best version” of a player you could find.
He said: “I think, yes, it’s for me the one that I always said that he’s the most complete player. In that regard, it’s someone that can do everything on the field.
“Physically and football, IQ combined and all this, yes, as a player. As a player, he is the best version of a football player if you want to start any game at any level.
“But if you want to have a bit different style because you have a team of other, talented players, you can maybe look at others. But as a machine, as a robot, he is the closest version.”
Currently, Ronaldo is plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League, and he is just 67 goals away from completing 1,000 strikes in his entire career. He has won the Arab Club Champions Cup with the side most recently in 2023, but has yet to lift a trophy this season.
Messi, on the other hand, is residing in Florida and playing for David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami – where he has won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024.
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