“Cristiano Ronaldo is good but not at this level” - Fabio Capello ranks greatest footballers; Ronaldo named 5th behind Lionel Messi and others

Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello ranked the greatest ever footballers, placing Lionel Messi among the top three, while Cristiano Ronaldo was fifth.

Both players are considered the best of their generation and among the greatest ever to have played the sport. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel FIVE in a recent interview, Capello said:

"I would rank Pele, Maradona and Messi (as the three greatest ever players in history). Ronaldo (Nazario) just behind them. Cristiano is a good player but not at this level. These three players I said, they have extra imagination. They do some things that you cannot understand."

Messi is certainly among the modern greats, having scored an incredible 729 goals across competitions in his senior club career. He's won the UEFA Champions League thrice and La Liga on 10 occasions with former side Barcelona.

The 36-year-old is also a World Cup winner with Argentina and scored seven goals while assisting thrice in his country's triumph in 2022. Messi has been awarded the Ballon d'Or eight times, three more than his arch-rival Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Al-Nassr striker has also achieved a fair bit in his career so far. He's scored 759 senior club career goals and has lifted the Champions League trophy five times.

Ronaldo is also a three-time Premier League champion and has won the Serie A and La Liga titles twice each. He's currently with the Portugal national team at Euro 2024, while Messi has also linked up with Argentina for the Copa America.

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Jose Mourinho picks Lionel Messi as the best of his generation over Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi

Former Manchester United and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho also picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo, calling the former the best footballer of his generation.

This may come as a surprise to many, given the Portuguese coach worked with Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. When asked by TNT Sports to name a player he wished to have signed, Mourinho said (via Forbes):

"Of course, I would have to say the little guy. But the little guy was not coachable. But I have to say, in our generation, he was the best."

Messi decided to exit Europe after his contract ran out at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023. After that, he joined MLS outfit Inter Miami, where he now plies his trade.