Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch.
The Portuguese superstar has won five Ballon d’Ors, five Champions Leagues, and countless league titles around Europe.
No Liverpool player has come close to being as successful in the 21st century, though Jamie Carragher has compared Mohamed Salah to Ronaldo in the past.
But Ashley Cole has now gone a step further and named a former Red as better than the ex-Real Madrid ace.
Steven Gerrard picked ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo
In an interview with TNT Sports, the former England and Chelsea left-back was asked a variety of questions, including the best winger he has played against.
Cole selected Ronaldo on that occasion, but when asked which player overall was the best he has faced, he named former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
- Best winger faced: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Best trophy won: Champions League
- Best player played with: Thierry Henry
- Best player played against: Steven Gerrard
- Best player never played with, but wished he did: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Favourite dressing room moment: Chelsea dressing room after Champions League win
- Best shirt swap: Roberto Carlos
While it was Gerrard who earned plaudits from Cole, a debate has been raging for some time over whether Salah is a better Premier League player than Ronaldo.
Has Mohamed Salah had a better Premier League career than Cristiano Ronaldo
Rafa Benitez would pick Salah over Ronaldo, calling the Egyptian a more complete player during an interview back in September.
He said: “Ronaldo is the greatest maybe finisher, but Salah is more complete. At the end I know where this will finish [Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi], so I will go here [with Salah].”
Meanwhile, 2024/25 saw Salah smash Ronaldo’s best Premier League campaign for goals and assists.
CR7 scored 31 goals and provided six assists in 2007/08 for Manchester United, while the Liverpool winger ended last season with 29 goals and 18 assists in England’s top flight.
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Some favour Ronaldo, however, including Mikael Silvestre, who previously stated he was ‘not so sure’ Salah is the greatest Premier League player ever.
He said: “He [Salah] is loved by the Anfield faithful and many of them are saying he is now in the very top tier of Premier League icons. I am not so sure. His numbers are, without a doubt, just brilliant, and this Liverpool team is set for a title win they truly deserve.
“But from my time at Manchester United, I think Cristiano Ronaldo is the Premier League great who sets the standards for the type of player Salah is – a winger who scores goals and acts as the playmaker for the team. And I am not just saying that out of loyalty!”
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