Lisbon, October 12: Whatever else is going on around him, Cristiano Ronaldo’s self-belief hasn’t wavered. Just days after the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) provisionally suspended him, the forward has told CNN Portugal he is the best player football has ever seen, and he said it without hedging.

Asked about his place in history, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner didn’t hold back. He is the best of all time, “period”, he said, and in his view the numbers back him up. What bothers him is that people don’t seem to notice what he is doing right now.

“I’m not going to say I have to reach 1,000”

Ronaldo, now 41 and playing for Al Nassr, is closing in on a landmark no footballer has ever hit: 1,000 career goals. But he made it clear he doesn’t want the chase to take over the story. He isn’t going to sit there insisting he must get to 1,000, he said, and if it happens, “fantastic”. He would rather enjoy playing and have people appreciate the goals he is scoring today.

He also described himself as the most complete player in history, which will keep the old Ronaldo-versus-Messi argument going for a while yet.

The record he is leaning on is a serious one. He is Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 146 international goals and the most-capped player in men’s international football.

A suspension and a very public row

The timing is awkward. On Saturday, the FPF opened disciplinary proceedings against Ronaldo and suspended him on a provisional basis after he left the national team camp during the latest international break.

The trouble began with his new coach, Jorge Jesus, and a dispute over playing time. Ronaldo said Jesus had gone back on his word. In his version of events, he warmed up on the touchline during the Nations League game against Norway and was never sent on. He later posted a long statement on Instagram speaking of a “breach of trust”. Jesus did not admit any mistake.

Portugal won all three games in that window, and Gonçalo Ramos, who stepped in for Ronaldo, scored three times.

Ronaldo has since softened his tone. He says he has apologised, accepts that actions have consequences, and saw the suspension coming. He also promised fans “one or more farewell matches” in a Portugal shirt. The case now sits with the federation’s disciplinary investigation committee, and its findings will stay confidential until it reaches a decision. Under the rules, a walkout like this can bring a suspension of one to six months, plus a fine.

What happens now?

For now, the big questions are still open. How long will the suspension last? What will Ronaldo’s role be under Jesus? And will he get the farewell he has promised?

One thing is certain: his latest words have reopened the debate about who is football’s greatest ever. Whether you agree with him or not, Ronaldo clearly has no doubts.

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