Cristiano Ronaldo is “still number one” in his eternal battle with Lionel Messi, claims Ben Foster, with a former Manchester United team-mate of the Portuguese legend considering any critics of an all-time great to be “completely mad”.
Questions have been asked of whether a five-time Ballon d’Or winner is starting to see his powers wane at 37 years of age, with his presence – along with 23 goals – unable to inspire an inconsistent Red Devils side to a top-four finish or major silverware in 2021-22.
There have been suggestions that he could move on in the summer, but Foster sees no sign of a legendary figure slowing down and believes a standing as the greatest ever will be enhanced further as he plays on for “another year or two at least”.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo the GOAT?
Foster, who is currently on the books at Watford, once played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford and believes his record-setting career places him slightly ahead of Argentine icon Messi in the GOAT stakes, telling The Mirror: “The level is high as you like. For a 37-year-old, he is an absolute specimen. He is still rapid. He is just one of those who is a natural goalscorer.
“For me, in that eternal Messi v Ronaldo debate, he is still number one for me.
“I think even this season people are completely mad that they think he is finished. He’s not finished. Look how many goals he has scored, that’s incredible.
“For anybody, that is a fantastic season, but because it is Ronaldo, people expect 30, 40, 50 goals. No – he is playing in a team that is not firing on all cylinders so you are not going to score that many goals anyway, but for people to say that he is finished, no chance mate.
“He is good to go still for another year or two at least.”
