At present, when the name Ronaldo is mentioned, most people immediately think of Cristiano Ronaldo, the superstar. However, looking back over two decades, there was another Ronaldo who was equally remarkable: Ronaldo Nazario, often referred to as Ronaldo “The Phenomenon.”
Despite his peak career being shorter compared to CR7’s, Ronaldo Nazario was so extraordinary during his prime that he was often likened to an “alien” due to his exceptional talent. Recently, Planet Football highlighted several football legends who consider Ronaldo Nazário to be the greatest Ronaldo in history.
Thierry Henry
In 2022, French football icon Thierry Henry stirred attention by declaring that Ronaldo Nazario is the “true” Ronaldo. When asked if he had ever swapped shirts with any football star, Henry replied:
“I have, with Ronaldo, R9. The real Ronaldo. As you grow up, you realize how many Ronaldos there are. In football, people still regard him as the genuine Ronaldo. Ronaldo is R9. Cristiano is Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Kaka
Throughout his career, Kaka had the opportunity to play alongside both Ronaldos. When asked who was the best, the former Brazilian star selected R9.
“The best player I ever played with? That would be Ronaldo Nazário. He did things that no one else had ever done before. For me, the best player is the one who can think and react the fastest and most effectively. Ronaldo Nazário excelled in this. His speed was perfect. It was truly incredible,” Kaka said.
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, also favors Ronaldo “The Phenomenon” as the superior player. When asked which Ronaldo was more remarkable, Shearer answered simply: “Oh, that would be R9.”
Jose Mourinho
The “Special One” acknowledges that Messi and CR7 have had more illustrious careers than Ronaldo Nazario. However, Mourinho believes that at his peak, R9 was the best player he has ever seen.
“When he (Ronaldo Nazario) played at Barcelona, I realized he was the best player I had ever seen. His career could have been even more extraordinary if not for the injuries. Still, his talent at age 19 was phenomenal. Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have had longer careers, staying at the top of the world for 15 years. But if we’re talking purely about talent and technique, no one surpasses R9,” Mourinho said.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic named Ronaldo Nazario as the greatest player when asked. “Ronaldo Nazario was exceptional. As a child, I learned from him.”
Christian Vieri
Former Italy star Christian Vieri directly claimed that Ronaldo “The Phenomenon” was the superior player.
“I am friends with R9 and was lucky to play alongside him. He had everything. He was explosive, powerful, and incredibly fast. He moved with the ball like a dancer. I can confidently say that Ronaldo Brazil was better than Cristiano Ronaldo,” Vieri noted.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi did not make a specific comparison between the two Ronaldos. However, the Argentine superstar admitted that Ronaldo “The Phenomenon” was the best striker he had ever seen.
“Ronaldo Nazario was exceptional. Among all the strikers I have seen, he was the best. Ronaldo azario was simply unbelievable.”
