Brazilians on social media have descended on Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his perceived veiled attack on Brazil football icon Pelé's 1000 goals record.
Ronaldo, during a discussion with ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand, stated that his ultimate target is to score 900 goals but would want to reach 1000 goals if he surpasses 900.
He added that, unlike past players who claimed to have scored 1000 goals, he would have videos to prove that he indeed scored 1000 goals in his career.
"The best mark that I reach is first reaching 900 goals. After, my challenge is to reach 1000 goals with one difference: all the goals I have scored have videos. So I can prove that I have scored 1000 goals," he said on his YouTube channel UR Cristiano.
"I respect all of them, but there are videos of my goals, and if you have a problem, I can bring videos from training too. And I will prove to the people. After they prefer this or that player as the best, I don't care about that."
Pelé is the only footballer documented to have scored 1000 goals; hence, Ronaldo's comment appeared to have upset Brazilians.
Some football fans also found Ronaldo's comment uncalled for and thus criticized him, claiming that he ignited hate on himself with his remarks.
Many Ronaldo fans, however, supported him and argued that his statements were intended to be sarcastic.
Read some reactions below
Cristiano is always the first to complain about how the media hates him yet he throws shade like this towards greats of the past who achieved more than him.
— Solo (@Z9Priv_) August 28, 2024
Very hypocritical & childish - won’t say that I didn’t expect this from him as he’s made a career of degrading others. https://t.co/WwEwnFGlVs
Claiming Pelé didn’t score 1000+ goals because there isn’t video evidence is awful reasoning.
— All Things Brazil™ 🇧🇷 (@SelecaoTalk) August 28, 2024
We have journalists reports, newspapers, eye witness accounts & radio commentary of them all. All verified through multiple sources.
Theres footage of Pelé winning 3 World Cups if Cristiano Ronaldo wants to see it 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/kNKRVH6kjG
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 28, 2024
This is why Messi will always be respected & more loved than Cristiano Ronaldo.
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 28, 2024
He’s not insecure. He doesn’t need to diminish the achievements of other all-time greats to stand out. pic.twitter.com/mPz8wVjVtD
Tears man
— Marcus (@Mheracle3) August 28, 2024
The only thing keeping this cry baby relevant is his YouTube channel pic.twitter.com/Y1fyWzUR5v
The official Brasileirão account fires back at Cristiano Ronaldo who mocked Pelé & other older legends of the game for not having all their goals on video.
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 28, 2024
“🎶 Only Pelé, only Pelé
📹 On video!”
This is a video of when he officially scored his 1000th goal. https://t.co/7m1fmtSufa
Sem polêmica.
— Marlon Alves (@EuMarlonAlvess) August 28, 2024
Sem indireta.
Sem egocentrismo.
Sem desmerecer ninguém.
A diferença é muito clara: de um lado, o frustrado que vive fazendo marketing pessoal para se autoafirmar. Do outro, quem sempre preferiu falar com a bola nos pés.
Abismo como jogador.
Abismo como ser humano. https://t.co/QS31Gy7Q6e pic.twitter.com/ECWJiaFrTY
Allow him speak!! He didn’t even mention names lol
— BIG AYO🔰 (@47kasz) August 28, 2024
He only said his goals has proof
He’s talking about Bican not Pele. I remember Ronaldo passing him at 805 and Austria outlet said Bican scored 830. Let him cook😂😂 pic.twitter.com/19vDwrkc7j
— Nungua Burnaboy (@views09) August 28, 2024
shameful
— ganesh🇦🇷 (@breathMessi21) August 28, 2024
No he is being funny
— Carpediem (@Pavan__116) August 29, 2024
Real life homelander, what a creep
— 🌬️ (@Juggszn17) August 28, 2024
What did he say wrong ? I don’t get it
— Ebuka Okehie (@IAMSPOTLESS77) August 28, 2024
Taking shots at pele pic.twitter.com/qw6J8s6jd2
— ☆ (@realonx1) August 28, 2024
He said pele is a fraud basically 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/uSvNgELkhR
— khulu (@funny6lackguy) August 28, 2024
We also have videos for all these moments, vividly. Bro has absolute NPD, narcissistic personality disorder pic.twitter.com/hTpXhm8zBG
— TheOnePlus11 (@Plus11One) August 28, 2024
Respect the legend Pepe, clown
— Sameer (@literallyusbro_) August 28, 2024
He said the same things about Ballon d'or,golden boot too then Messi won more anyways 😭😭
— Rel (@FCB_Rel) August 28, 2024