Monday 21 October 2019

What Ronaldo really needs to overtake Pele

The star's agent Jorge Mendes claimed he was 68 goals short of O Rei's professional record, but if friendlies are included the number is unreachable

Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes is rarely shy when it comes to extolling the virtues of his elite clients. It is part of the job, of course, and one of the reasons that stars like Cristiano Ronaldo continue to place their trust in the wily businessman to take care of their affairs.

Last week, however, Mendes made a fairly startling assertion that immediately sparked widespread debate. At its heart was Ronaldo, fresh from adding to his already impressive goal tally for the Portugal national team with a landmark strike, and none other than Pele, owner of the biggest – and, for many, most contentious – scoring record in professional football.
 


“His numbers don’t lie and light up the overwhelming way Cristiano Ronaldo shatters records, which elevate him to the category of the best player in the history of football, with a big difference compared to the second [best] for all he achieved with the different clubs he represented, whether in England, Spain or now in Italy and also with the Portuguese national team,” Mendes beamed to Tuttosport when quizzed on his client.

“The fact is that, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal have already played in three finals, winning two of them.

“Cristiano has reached the remarkable milestone of 700 goals, but I have no doubt that he’ll surpass Pele as the best scorer in football history, and he’ll do it with Juventus.

“After all, 68 goals aren’t a lot for this extraordinary Cristiano Ronaldo, are they? It’s also because I’m convinced that his best is yet to come.”





GOAL

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