Manchester City Superstar Ditches Arsenal Legend for Cristiano Ronaldo as Premier League’s Best Player

The debate around Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to gather pace in their late 30s. It’s likely to be one of those conversations that would fail to die down even if they retire. However, another telling dispute always engulfed fans. Who is the greatest English Premier League player of all time? That’s a question for the ages, with one MLS legend and Ronaldo at the forefront. Thierry Henry dominated the competition like no other soccer star, winning multiple trophies with Arsenal. To the majority, he is the epitome of excellence in the Premier League. 

But for Manchester City’s John Stones, the Portuguese legend stands apart. The 5x Ballon d’Or winner burst onto the scene at Manchester United before elevating his career to greater heights at Real Madrid. The Englishman believes Ronaldo has earned the title of the finest player to play in the prestigious English league. 

John Stones ditches Arsenal legend for Cristiano Ronaldo

After being given two options to select the best player, the last question saw the interviewer asking if the best player in the PL was Henry or Ronaldo. As a response, John Stones replied, “I’ve got to go, Ronaldo.” The legendary CR7 played for United from 2003 to 2009. He became a focal point of the Red Devils, and Sir Alex Ferguson tailored the team to perfection. With the help of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, the three formed a deadly trio for ages, winning multiple trophies and scaring the opposition defenders with flair and creativity. 

Henry arrived at Arsenal in 1999 and played for the club until 2007, revolutionizing the modern-day striker role. During those times, the striker’s application was to score goals. But he was a different beast. His laser-like vision helped him create chances for his teammates and dribble the ball efficiently. He became the prototype for managers to fetch a player to lead the line. Apart from goals, the underrated swag he showcased attracted many eyeballs. If you compare the two, there is not a lot between them.

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To many, Henry became the greatest Premier League player ever because of his goal-scoring exploits and the overall game style he showcased. Some argue that Ronaldo played in the English Premier League for a lesser time than Henry, which gives the Frenchman the edge. Is that true?

Thierry Henry vs. Ronaldo: Who’s the greatest Premier League player?

If you compare the total time spent in the competition, Henry played for eight seasons while Ronaldo managed six. In those eight seasons, Henry appeared in 258 games in the Premier League, scoring 175 goals and creating 80 assists. Those numbers are ridiculous. He won the Premier League Golden Boot, a record number of four times, and had a season with 20+ goals and assists. 

As for Ronaldo, he made 236 appearances and scored 103 goals. In addition, he also created 39 assists demonstrating his unselfish side. Ronaldo clinched his debut Ballon d’Or after a string of triumphs, including three consecutive Premier League titles. 

Nevertheless, these comparisons are rarely straightforward. The two players influenced the league like none other. Social media aided Cristiano Ronaldo to greater heights after having the spotlight on the player with various videos and skills, making him everyone’s favorite. But don’t sleep on Thierry Henry. The Frenchman was a cut above the rest! Who do you think is the greatest Premier League player ever?

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