Karim Benzema has declared Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário, not former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, as the greatest footballer of all time.
In a recent interview, the former Real Madrid striker was asked to weigh in following Cristiano Ronaldo’s own claims to be the “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time).
Benzema responded diplomatically, saying: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” before emphatically stating: “For me, the best is Ronaldo, the Brazilian.”
Benzema clarified his stance, acknowledging the brilliance of his former team-mate’s career but questioning the value of direct comparisons.
“Everyone has their own story, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s is magnificent,” he observed. His decision to highlight Ronaldo Nazário reflects a deep admiration rooted in his own footballing style.
A youth molded by Ronaldo Nazário’s performances, Benzema explained that he sought to emulate the Brazilian’s strength, technical mastery, and goal-scoring efficiency. Referred to as “El Fenómeno,” Ronaldo Nazário rose to superstardom in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His heroics in the 2002 World Cup final—forcing a buy-back by scoring twice—secured Brazil’s fifth title and cemented his legacy despite recurring injury setbacks.
While modern debates on the GOAT often feature Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Benzema’s homage to the Brazilian legend shines a spotlight on earlier icons such as Pelé and Maradona.
For the Real Madrid legend, it was Ronaldo Nazário’s “raw talent, devastating dribbling, and instinctive finishing” that set him apart.
Benzema’s declaration, coming after sharing Real Madrid’s dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo for nine seasons during which they won four Champions League titles, has reignited the perennial conversation about football’s greatest players.
His endorsement of Ronaldo Nazário adds weight to the argument for football’s early phenoms and offers a counter-narrative to the Messi–Cristiano rivalry dominating today’s discourse.
While no clear answer to the GOAT debate exists, Benzema’s heartfelt tribute captures the enduring influence of Ronaldo Nazário. In the eyes of one of his most talented admirers, “El Fenómeno” remains unmatched.