Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Ronaldo’s Portugal Record Compared With Pelé and Maradona
Cristiano Ronaldo released a long statement about a disagreement involving Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
In it, he shared a remark that compared his stature with football greats Pelé and Diego Maradona.
The article compares their records playing for their countries.
It says Ronaldo has played more international matches and scored more international goals than either of them.
But Pelé had the highest goals-per-game average of the three.
Ronaldo has played in six World Cups, but has not reached a final.
Pelé won three World Cups, while Maradona won one.
The article also says Ronaldo holds records for international appearances and goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo shared a statement about his dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, including a remark comparing Ronaldo’s stature with Pelé and Diego Maradona.
The article says Ronaldo has played 234 matches and scored 146 goals for Portugal, more than Pelé or Maradona recorded for their national teams.
It gives goals-per-game averages of 0.624 for Ronaldo, 0.846 for Pelé and 0.374 for Maradona.
Ronaldo has made 28 World Cup appearances across six editions and scored 11 World Cup goals, according to the article.
The article says Pelé won three World Cups and Maradona won one; Ronaldo has not reached a World Cup final or won the Golden Ball.
- Who
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, Pelé and Diego Maradona.
- What
- Ronaldo shared a statement about a dispute with Jesus, prompting a comparison of the three players’ international records.
- When
- The article does not provide a date.
- Where
- The dispute concerned Portugal’s national team; the statement was shared with Portuguese media.
- Why
- The comparison followed a remark attributed to Jesus about putting a player of Pelé or Maradona’s stature on to warm up without bringing him into the game.
- Ronaldo international appearances
- 234 for Portugal, according to the article
- International goals
- Ronaldo: 146; Pelé: 77; Maradona: 34
- Goals per game
- Ronaldo: 0.624; Pelé: 0.846; Maradona: 0.374
- World Cup appearances
- Ronaldo: 28; Pelé: 14; Maradona: 21, as reported
- Ronaldo World Cup record
- 11 goals across six editions; no final appearance or Golden Ball, according to the article
- World Cup titles
- Pelé: three; Maradona: one
- Statement length
- More than 1,700 words