Fabio Capello, the renowned Italian football manager, has once again sparked debate by excluding Cristiano Ronaldo from his list of the greatest players in football history. In an interview with the Egyptian channel ON Sport’s program Hat-Trick, Capello elaborated on his reasoning, stating that Ronaldo, despite his phenomenal goalscoring record, lacks the natural genius possessed by Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldo Nazário.
Capello praised Ronaldo’s work ethic and athleticism, calling him an incredible athlete and a great goalscorer. However, he firmly believes that Ronaldo cannot be compared to those three icons. “Cristiano is a great goalscorer and an incredible athlete, but he does not have the genius of Messi, Maradona, or Ronaldo Nazário,” Capello said. “That genius that the others have is absent in Cristiano. He cannot be compared to these three.”
Capello’s Consistent Stance
This is not the first time Capello has downplayed Ronaldo’s legacy. In March 2025, during an interview with FlashScore, Capello criticized Ronaldo for calling himself the most complete player ever. Capello responded that Ronaldo had exaggerated, asserting that true “phenomena” like Messi, Pelé, Maradona, and Ronaldo Nazário belong to a higher tier. He placed Ronaldo just below them, saying, “He is a hair below them.”
Capello’s remarks highlight a long-standing debate in football: what separates a great scorer from a genius? For Capello, genius is about natural talent, creativity, and the ability to produce moments of magic that transcend statistics. Messi’s dribbling, Maradona’s vision, and Ronaldo Nazário’s explosive flair are examples of such innate brilliance.
The Ronaldo Nazário Controversy
Interestingly, Capello did not spare Ronaldo Nazário, the Brazilian striker he coached at Real Madrid. In the same interview, Capello described Nazário as a “negative leader” who threw huge parties and did not want to train. Despite that, he still ranks him among the elite geniuses, suggesting that even with a problematic attitude, Nazário’s natural talent was undeniable. This contrast further emphasizes Capello’s belief that Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatness is built on discipline and hard work rather than pure genius.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Pursuit of 1,000 Goals
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo continues his relentless pursuit of 1,000 career goals. Having scored 961 goals so far, the mark appears achievable, especially given his continued success in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr. Ronaldo has never hidden his ambition, and reaching 1,000 goals would be a historic milestone that could silence some critics. However, for Capello, statistics alone do not define genius.
Ronaldo’s goal-scoring consistency spans two decades, with prolific stints at Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards, multiple Champions League titles, and domestic league trophies. Yet, the debate persists: does prolific scoring equate to genius?
Tensions at Al Nassr
Off the pitch, Ronaldo has recently been involved in a controversy at Al Nassr. He staged a strike to protest the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) decision not to allocate funds for new winter signings, while rival club Al Hilal received nearly €70 million for reinforcements. Ronaldo missed two matches, against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad, but has now ended his protest. His return could happen this Saturday in a league match against Al-Fateh.
However, tensions remain. According to British radio station talkSPORT, Ronaldo is considering leaving Al Nassr at the end of the season, despite having a contract until June 2027. Reports suggest he is unhappy with the club’s lack of ambition in the transfer market and may seek a move elsewhere. This uncertainty adds another chapter to Ronaldo’s storied career, as he balances his desire for silverware with his personal goals.
Capello’s comments are unlikely to change Ronaldo’s mindset. The Portuguese forward has always thrived on proving doubters wrong. Yet, the opinion of a legendary coach like Capello carries weight in football circles. The debate over who truly deserves the title of “greatest of all time” will continue, with each generation offering new candidates. For now, Capello’s perspective draws a clear line between hard-earned greatness and natural genius—a distinction that may never be resolved.
Source: Notícias ao Minuto News