Ceferin Praises Ronaldo, Calls Him One of Football’s Top Three

When Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time record goals are mentioned, even the biggest rivals stop to nod in respect. Few saw this coming two decades ago, yet here he is, still rewriting football’s story at 40.

At the Portugal Football Summit this week, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin couldn’t hide his admiration. “He’s one of the biggest promoters of Portuguese football,” Ceferin said, smiling as the crowd cheered. “I’ve never seen such a competitive person. That’s why he’s struggling to stop.”

It felt more like a celebration than a speech. Ceferin went further, placing Ronaldo among the top three footballers of all time, a category that needs no explanation. “Honestly, we’d need hours to talk about what he’s achieved,” he added. You could sense the pride in the room.

54 Goals Away from History

That line hit differently because Ronaldo’s chase for 1000 career goals is still alive. He sits just 54 short, an absurd number that only a few dreamers can reach. Every goal now feels like part of a farewell tour, but the man himself doesn’t look done. Not yet.

At Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s energy hasn’t dimmed. He still sprints, still yells at himself when he misses, still lifts teammates when it matters. “He’s unbelievable, even in training,” one of his teammates said recently. Few players keep that fire this long. His energy and fitness can be the source of his next big milestone, and that could flip everything again.

From Lisbon Streets to Football Super Star

Ronaldo’s journey from Madeira’s narrow streets to becoming Portugal’s pride has been told countless times. The UEFA President calling him “one of the best ever” felt like a stamp from football’s highest table.

In his career, Ronaldo has collected five Ballon d’Ors, five UEFA Champions League titles, and that unforgettable night lifting the UEFA Euro 2016 trophy. Add two Nations League titles and countless individual awards, and the numbers start to feel unreal.

To be fair, numbers alone don’t capture the man. What keeps fans hooked is how he still celebrates like it’s his first goal. How the crowd still roars when he scores from nowhere. How every child still shouts his name after a backyard goal.

A Legacy Beyond Goals

Ceferin’s praise wasn’t just about trophies. It was about what Ronaldo represents: obsession, resilience, and belief. “He’s one of a kind,” Ceferin said simply, and that really sums it up.

As the billionaire footballer, Ronaldo’s career has crossed every imaginable frontier. Yet, under the bright Riyadh lights, he still glances toward that 1000-goal mark. You can almost feel it; he wants it badly.

Few athletes have carried their nation’s image like he has. Few have aged with this kind of intensity. And few, if any, have remained this relevant for this long. Ceferin is right. Ronaldo isn’t just in the top three. He might be the story itself.