Sports

Ronaldo At 38: Why Many Consider Him The GOAT

Published

3 years ago

February 5, 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, celebrated his 38th birthday on February 5, 2023. Over the past two decades, the Portuguese forward has established himself as one of the most successful and influential players in the history of the sport.

Ronaldo’s record-breaking exploits have earned him numerous individual awards, including five Ballon d’Or trophies and four European Golden Shoe awards. Ronaldo also won numerous titles with his club teams, including two English Premier League titles with Manchester United, four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, and two Serie A titles with Juventus.

One of the most impressive aspects of Ronaldo’s game is his goal-scoring ability. He is the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League, and the Portuguese national team, Mandy News reports.

Ronaldo is also the only player to have scored over 100 goals in the Champions League, and holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the competition.

Ronaldo’s impact on the sport extends beyond his impressive statistics. He has inspired countless young players around the world with his work ethic and dedication to the sport. His incredible athleticism, dribbling skills, and finishing ability have set the standard for modern footballers.

Another key aspect of Ronaldo’s success is his versatility. He is equally effective playing on either wing or as a central striker, and has consistently shown his ability to adapt to new challenges and systems. He has been a key player for some of the greatest club teams in recent history, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

Ronaldo’s longevity is also a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. Despite reaching the age of 38, he continues to perform at a high level, scoring goals and helping his team win games. He remains one of the most feared forwards in the world and continues to inspire fans and players alike.

Apart from Lionel Messi, many fans also refer to Ronaldo as the Greatest Of All Time.

Mandy News lists 38 reasons why Ronaldo is ‘best’:

1. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner
2. Four European Golden Shoe awards
3. All-time leading scorer for Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League
4. Most goals scored in a single season for Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League
5. Most goals scored in European international competitions
6. Only player to score more than 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League
7. Only player to score in every single Champions League game in a single season
8. Most hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League
9. Only player to score a hat-trick in three different Champions League seasons
10. Most goals scored in the UEFA European Championship
11. Most goals scored in the UEFA Nations League
12. Most goals scored in a single European international tournament
13. Most goals scored for the Portuguese national team
14. Only player to score in three European international tournaments
15. Most goals scored in international club competitions
16. Most goals scored in a calendar year for club and country combined
17. Most goals scored in a calendar year for a top European club
18. Most goals scored in a calendar year for a national team
19. Most goals scored in a single club season in Europe’s top five leagues
20. Most goals scored in a single club season in Spain’s La Liga
21. Most goals scored in a single club season in Italy’s Serie A
22. Most hat-tricks in Spain’s La Liga
23. Most hat-tricks in Italy’s Serie A
24. Most goals scored in a single match in Spain’s La Liga
25. Most goals scored in a single match in Italy’s Serie A
26. Most goals scored in a single match for Real Madrid
27. Most goals scored in a single match for Manchester United
28. Most goals scored in a single match for Juventus
29. Most goals scored in a single match for the Portuguese national team
30. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for Real Madrid
31. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for Manchester United
32. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for Juventus
33. Most goals scored in a single calendar year for the Portuguese national team
34. Most goals scored in the Spanish Super Cup
35. Most goals scored in the Italian Super Cup
36. Most goals scored in the UEFA Super Cup
37. Most goals scored in the Club World Cup
38. Most goals scored in the international club tournaments combined.
PUNCH

Sports

AFCON 2025: Lookman Scores Winner As Super Eagles Start Campaign With 2–1 Victory Over Tanzania

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Ademola Lookman scored what proved to be the decisive goal as Nigeria beat Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles came into the match as heavy favourites to win and dominated the opening exchanges.

After coming close a few times, the three-time champions took the lead through Semi Ajayi.

The ball was recycled following a corner-kick, before Alex Iwobi crossed it into the area for Ajayi to head home.

Tanzania equalized after Charles M’Mombwa found himself unmarked inside the area.

But two minutes later, Nigeria struck the winner through Lookman, who took a few touches and finished with his left foot.

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

3 weeks ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.