At 39, Cristiano Ronaldo has won almost everything and therefore has nothing left to prove. But the Portuguese striker’s ego must have taken another hit in recent days, seeing the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or. Like last year, “CR7” is not among the candidates for the prestigious trophy, even though he ended 2023 as the best scorer on the planet with 54 goals, ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane (52 goals).
Of course, the fact of playing at Al-Nassr, in a less competitive championship than those of the European “Big Five”, does not help the former Mancunian. But he will not even be able to console himself with his rating in EA Sports FC 25. Because according to the American publisher’s ratings, Cristiano Ronaldo is not even the best Saudi Pro League player in the game! Excluded from the world’s Top 25, while Lionel Messi is part of it, the Funchal native must be content with a modest 86.
Cristiano Ronaldo behind Neymar!
In Saudi Arabia, the former Real Madrid star is the second highest rated player behind… Neymar Jr. (87). A real snub for “CR7” because his Brazilian counterpart has not played with Al-Hilal since October 2023, due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee. Karim Benzema, who plays for Al-Ittihad, is also credited with an 86, as is Joao Cancelo, “Ney’s” new teammate in Riyadh.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, who has long been among the highest-rated players in EA Sports’ popular simulation, this ranking reminds him that the end is getting closer and closer and that his decline is inevitable. The latest goal he has set for himself is strictly personal: “I want to reach 1000 goals (he is at 901, editor’s note). At 41, I don’t know yet. I want to live in the moment, but if I don’t have any injuries it’s my last goal.”
