Cristiano Ronaldo‘s goal-scoring record for Portugal is nothing short of astonishing. With 127 goals in the bag, the Al-Nassr talisman sits atop the all-time international goalscoring leaderboard. However, in a recent debate, experts have raised questions about Ronaldo’s record against big teams. A French soccer legend shared an interesting thought regarding Ronaldo’s numbers for his national team.

Ronaldo’s goal tally for Portugal is undeniably impressive, but the experts argue about a fitting question: how valuable are his goals for Portugal, and do they truly reflect his impact and goal-scoring abilities on the big stage?

French soccer legend’s assessment of Cristiano Ronaldo

In a recent ESPN FC soccer debate, panelist Craig Burnley was joined by former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol, alongside former French World Cup Winner and Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf. During the debate, it was Leboeuf who emphasized that, while Ronaldo’s achievement is undoubtedly admirable, one must assess the level of the opponents he has faced.

“I think it’s great what he does, and if he enjoys it, good for him and his fans. But, yeah, I’m with the guy. You have to be realistic, you have to check who are the opponents and their level, and if it is an easy task for any big country. Portugal is a big country of football with lots of talents and Ronaldo is also helped by his teammates’ quality,” Leboeuf stated.

“Who they face is quite an easy run, like it’s easy for England or it’s going to be easy for France. It’s only when you’re going to get the tournament that you’re going to really see how Ronaldo is and if he’s still as the fans think at the same level,” the former French World Cup winner added.

Leboeuf highlighted that Portugal, like other major soccer nations, often faces weaker and less formidable opposition in the qualification stages, which naturally boosts the goal tally of Cristiano Ronaldo.

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The French soccer icon also pointed out that it is only during major tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA EURO Cup, that Ronaldo’s abilities can be tested. The true assessment of the Portuguese forward’s impact on his national team relies on his performance against the world’s best national teams. Leboeuf’s remarks surely add a layer of nuance to the debate, challenging the popular narrative surrounding Ronaldo’s dominance.

Ronaldo’s record against the top 10 nations

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record against big international teams is certainly mixed. Although he has scored some remarkable goals against top teams, such as his hat-trick against Spain in the 2018 World Cup, he has also struggled in some crucial games.

Ronaldo has scored a total of 14 goals against the current FIFA Top 10 countries. Amongst the top ten nations, the Netherlands is CR7’s favorite victim, with four goals scored against them. Other notable nations include Belgium, Croatia, Argentina, France, and Spain.

As fans, experts, and soccer enthusiasts continue to marvel at Cristiano Ronaldo’s numbers, Leboeuf’s words serve as a reminder that value and competition should always be considered when assessing a player’s legacy.

Though the debate will never reach a definitive conclusion, it displays the need for a balanced point-of-view for one of the greatest soccer legends. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo when he’ll lead the Portuguese squad in next year’s UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany.

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