When people mention Cristiano Ronaldo, many immediately think of Messi. But in reality, in terms of historical standing and overall ability, Messi has already pulled far ahead. Messi is truly one of a kind—while it’s unlikely there will never be another like him, at least among current players, no one seems capable of reaching his level. Therefore, this article won’t include Messi in the discussion.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a textbook goal machine. When he’s on the field, it often feels like the score starts at 1–0. His finishing is flawless—both feet are strong, he’s dominant in the air, and his long shots, free kicks, penalties, and one-on-one chances are all top-class. His mental toughness and competitive spirit are unmatched. Of course, Ronaldo’s shooting prowess comes from relentless practice—during his Manchester United days, he was even nicknamed the “King of Wasteful Shots” for taking so many attempts.
Currently, the top five players in the world by market value are:
Yamal – €200 million
Mbappé – €180 million
Haaland – €180 million
Bellingham – €180 million
Vinícius Jr. – €170 million
Of course, market value depends not only on ability but also on age. Yamal tops the list mainly because he’s only 18.
Among these five, Vinícius clearly won’t reach legendary status. His finishing is poor, his ball control still lacks polish, and his temperament limits his potential. Bellingham, as an English player, carries the usual traits of overvaluation and early burnout.
So let’s focus on the three most promising names—Mbappé, Haaland, and Yamal—and explore whether any of them can reach Cristiano Ronaldo’s level.
Mbappé’s international career already surpasses Ronaldo’s in terms of achievements, but his one major regret is joining Real Madrid too late. Now 27, his prime years are limited, making it nearly impossible for him to surpass Ronaldo. Still, when it comes to winning the Ballon d’Or, there’s little doubt Mbappé will claim one—or even several.
Haaland is a pure goal machine, much like Ronaldo. However, while people once accused Ronaldo of being a “tap-in merchant,” that couldn’t be further from the truth—Ronaldo was a complete forward. Haaland, on the other hand, truly fits the description of a “super poacher.” His biggest disadvantage is his nationality: playing for Norway makes major international success almost impossible. Portugal may not have won the World Cup, but they’ve always had star power and global attention. Haaland, unfortunately, will never reach Ronaldo’s level.
Yamal, on the other hand, is a phenomenon. His early rise to stardom is almost mythical—perhaps comparable only to Pelé in the ancient days of football. Individually, he’s slightly below Messi in terms of dribbling and creativity, but still world-class. More importantly, he’s incredibly young and has room to grow.
Yamal’s situation is ideal: he plays for both a club giant (Barcelona) and a national powerhouse (Spain). Having already won the European Championship, he’s likely to win the Champions League in the near future. The World Cup is tougher, but certainly not out of reach. All in all, as long as he stays focused and avoids off-field distractions, Yamal has a real chance of one day reaching Cristiano Ronaldo’s level.
