Sports

Ronaldo At 38: Why Many Consider Him The GOAT

Published

2 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

WAFCON: Ihezuo Strikes Late As Nigeria Edge Botswana To Reach Quarter-finals

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

Editor

Substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo came off the bench to score a dramatic 89th-minute winner as Nigeria sealed a 1-0 win over Botswana in their Group B clash at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Thursday.

Nigeria looked set for a frustrating evening until Ihezuo met a low cross from Esther Okoronkwo and tapped home at the back post for her second goal of the tournament.

The result, secured at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, confirmed the Super Falcons’ place in the quarter-finals.

Despite being overwhelming favourites, the nine-time champions struggled to break down a resilient Botswana side and their outstanding goalkeeper, Sedilame Boseja.

The Super Falcons were wasteful in front of goal for much of the contest, with Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne both missing first-half chances. Botswana came close to a shock lead through Balothany Johannes and Laone Moloi, whose efforts tested Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Sports

Oliseh Urges Osimhen To Choose Premier League Over Galatasaray Return

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has issued a strong word of advice to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen amid mounting speculation linking the Napoli forward with a surprise return to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Oliseh warned that the 26-year-old striker is at a pivotal stage in his career and must carefully consider his next move to avoid future regret. He wrote, “Victor Osimhen is at a very delicate crossroad. He needs to find his way to the Premier League in a hurry or he risks so much regret! Man. United and Arsenal need this player if only…..”

Oliseh’s comments come amid reports that Osimhen is preparing for a permanent switch to Galatasaray, where he previously starred during a loan spell, scoring 26 goals to lead the club to the Turkish Super Lig title. However, the Nigerian legend believes a move to England’s top flight would better suit Osimhen’s development and global standing.

Now 26, Osimhen’s age is reportedly becoming a factor in transfer negotiations, with some Premier League clubs cautious about making a high-value investment. Delaying a move to England any further could reduce his appeal in the competitive Premier League market, insiders suggest.

Despite being contracted to Napoli until 2026, Osimhen’s future remains uncertain. The striker was expected to return for pre-season training, but reports in Italy claim that new head coach Antonio Conte has no intention of including him in his plans and could relegate him to the youth team.

Sports

Liverpool Return To Training In Wake Of Jota death

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2025

Editor

Liverpool’s stars returned to training on Tuesday for the first time since the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota.

The Premier League champions postponed the start of pre-season training after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain last Thursday.

Manager Arne Slot and a number of the Liverpool squad, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, attended Jota’s funeral in his home town of Gondomar, near Porto, on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo were among the players pictured arriving at the training ground.

Salah said in his tribute to the Portuguese international that he was frightened to go back to Liverpool to face the reality of Jota’s passing.

“Teammates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back,” Salah posted on Instagram.

A site of remembrance has been set up at the club’s iconic Anfield stadium where hundreds of bouquets of flowers, shirts, scarves and pictures have been left by fans and former players in recent days.

Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly is scheduled for Sunday away at Championship side Preston.

But ticket sales for that match have been suspended pending a final decision on whether the match will go ahead.

Liverpool are then due to go on an Asian tour, playing AC Milan in Hong Kong and Japanese side Yokohama Marinos before the end of the month.