Ronaldo adds another milestone in debate over who is the greatest

DPA Berlin Looking at pure statistics, it is hard to argue with anyone who suggests Cristiano Ronaldo should now be regarded as the greatest men’s football...

DPABerlinLooking at pure statistics, it is hard to argue with anyone who suggests Cristiano Ronaldo should now be regarded as the greatest men’s footballer ever.The 36-year-old became the men’s top international goalscorer when reaching 111 goals after a late double in the 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Ireland on Wednesday.Yes, Ronaldo’s longevity means he took 180 games to reach the mark, more matches than anyone else in the top 10 of international goals, but being able to still do what he does at 36 is another weapon in his favour when debating who the greatest really is.“I’m motivated and have the strength to be able to put on a show for another three, four, five years,” Ronaldo told Sport TV.The fact he yet again won Portugal the game in stoppage time was not lost on anyone even if a missed penalty in the first half was.“This achievement rewards an outstanding career of almost two decades representing your country at the highest level, which speaks of your tremendous commitment and dedication to your art and your incredible passion for football,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.“In the process of breaking the record for the number of goals in men’s international football, you have become not only a national hero but an international icon and a role model for aspiring players all around the world. Your skills and consistent drive for improvement deserves global acclaim and admiration.” Winning Euro 2016 with a modest Portugal side adds to Ronaldo’s allure. But now that Lionel Messi has won a major tournament with Argentina – the Copa America in July - Ronaldo fans can no longer use a lack of international success as a stick to beat Messi supporters. If either finally win the World Cup in Qatar next year, it might help decide the debate. Of course Pele won three World Cups with Brazil - the reason mostly given for why he should still be regarded as the greatest.Diego Maradona meanwhile almost single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup for Argentina.Individual awards can be looked at, but the FIFA Best award having previously been merged with the Ballon d’Or, which originally only counted for European players, makes this too complicated.Club football has to come into the equation when discussing who is the very best.Pele and Maradona had club success but in a different era to now.What Messi achieved at Barcelona, four Champions Leagues and 10 La Ligas, is remarkable. If he had stayed as a one-club man, this could also have been part of the debate, but now he surely has to win the biggest trophies at mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain as well.This is where Ronaldo has a clear advantage – proving himself in different leagues and at different clubs. Domestic titles in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus and five Champions Leagues in total for United and Real.Now back at United, Ronaldo can maybe settle the debate of who is the best male footballer of all time. If he inspires a side without a Premier League title since 2013 to renewed glory, it might be his greatest achievement yet.