Ronaldo Adds Another Milestone in Debate Over Who Is the Greatest
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Paceman QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Umesh QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune dismisses Root as India strike back at the Oval PAGE 11 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 Ronaldo adds another milestone in debate Oman’s players Ali Sulaiman Al Busaidi (2nd R) and Juma Al Habsi over who is the greatest (2nd L) celebrate their victory as Japan’s Doan Ritsu (L) and Yuya Osako react after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualification match at DPA the Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, on Thursday. (AFP) BERLIN LOOKING at pure statistics, it is hard to argue with any- Al Sabhi stars as one who suggests Cristiano Ronaldo should now be re- Oman stun Japan garded as the greatest men’s footballer ever. the Japanese defence under The 36-year-old became pressure in the opening mo- the men’s top international ments, giving the Samurai goalscorer when reaching 111 Blue cause for concern when goals after a late double in the Khalid Al Hajri held off Naom- 2-1 World Cup qualifying win ichi Ueda before slipping a over Ireland on Wednesday. clever pass into the path of Yes, Ronaldo’s longevity Rabi Al Alawi. He forced Shu- means he took 180 games to Oman’s Issam Al Sabhi celebrates ichi Gonda into an unconvinc- reach the mark, more matches scoring in the 88th minute at the ing save, the goalkeeper parry- than anyone else in the top Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka ing the ball away for a corner. 10 of international goals, but Prefecture, on Thursday. (AFC) Harib Al Saadi tried his being able to still do what he luck from distance soon after, does at 36 is another weapon AFC with his right foot drive de- in his favour when debating OSAKA (JAPAN) flected wide as Oman put pres- who the greatest really is. sure on a disjointed Japan. ISSAM Al Sabhi struck two The Samurai Blue slowly minutes from time as Oman clawed their way into the Ronaldo and claimed a shock 1-0 win over game, stroking the ball around Top-10 international Japan to begin the AFC Asian inside the Oman half, and Qualifiers - Road to Qatar their growing control almost goalscorers campaign with a three-point paid off when Maya Yoshida’s haul at Suita Stadium in Osaka pinpoint pass was controlled Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is now the top men’s international goalscorer of all-time on Thursday. by Junya Ito, but the winger’s after two goals in the 2-1 World Cup Al Sabhi swept home Salah goal-bound effort was slapped qualifying win over Ireland. Al Yahyaei’s cross from the away by Faiyz Al Rashidi. TOPSHOT - Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (2ndL) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar right to hand the Japanese Kyogo Furuhashi’s intro- Name/Country Goals/matches 2022 European qualifying round group A football match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at the Algarve stadium in Loule, near Faro, their first defeat in nine games duction at halftime for the inef- Cristiano Ronaldo 111/180 southern Portugal, on September 1, 2021. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA / AFP) in qualifying for Qatar 2022 fective Genki Haraguchi gave Ali Daei (Iran) 109/149 and leave Hajime Moriyasu Japan a boost and Wataru Endo Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) 89/142 Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) 84/85 Becoming the top men’s international scorer of all-time adds weight to the and his team on the back foot had a sight of goal three minutes Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) 79/111 after Matchday One of the AFC after the restart that was blocked Hussein Saeed (Iraq) 78/137 argument that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest male footballer of all-time. Asian Qualifiers. by the Omani defence. Pele (Brazil) 77/92 The loss came after the Nagatomo was then left pro- Ali Mabkhout (UAE) 76/92 But fans of Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi will beg to differ. Japanese had earlier seen a testing his innocence after ref- Lionel Messi (Argentina) 76/151 penalty decision given against eree Hassan pointed to the spot Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) 75/68 your incredible passion for Ronaldo fans can no longer which originally only counted a clear advantage – proving them overturned after referee before reversing his decision to football,” said FIFA president use a lack of international suc- for European players, makes himself in different leagues Mohammad Abdulla Hassan leave the scores level with more Gianni Infantino. cess as a stick to beat Messi this too complicated. and at different clubs. initially awarded a spot-kick to than half an hour remaining. “I’m motivated and have “In the process of break- supporters. Club football has to come Domestic titles in the Pre- Branko Ivankovic’s side nine Ali Al Busaidi thumped his the strength to be able to put ing the record for the number If either finally win the into the equation when dis- mier League, La Liga and Serie minutes into the second half. shot into Gonda on the hour on a show for another three, of goals in men’s international World Cup in Qatar next year, cussing who is the very best. A for Manchester United, Real The ball had hit Yuto Na- mark as Oman again found a four, five years,” Ronaldo told football, you have become not it might help decide the de- Pele and Maradona had Madrid and Juventus and five gatomo on the arm, but replays way past Japan’s static defence Sport TV. only a national hero but an bate. Of course Pele won three club success but in a different Champions Leagues in total showed there was little the while Osako looked set to put The fact he yet again won international icon and a role World Cups with Brazil - the era to now. for United and Real. left-back could do about the Japan ahead with 22 minutes Portugal the game in stoppage model for aspiring players all reason mostly given for why What Messi achieved at Now back at United, Ron- incident and referee Hassan remaining, hitting a curling time was not lost on anyone around the world. Your skills he should still be regarded as Barcelona, four Champions aldo can maybe settle the de- changed the decision when he a low shot before Al Rashidi even if a missed penalty in the and consistent drive for im- the greatest. Leagues and 10 La Ligas, is bate of who is the best male viewed the pitch side monitor. palmed it to safety. first half was. provement deserves global ac- Diego Maradona mean- remarkable. If he had stayed footballer of all time. It was a rare moment of The teams appeared set to “This achievement re- claim and admiration.” while almost single-handedly as a one-club man, this could If he inspires a side with- drama in a tense game that share the points until Al Yahy- wards an outstanding career Winning Euro 2016 with a won the 1986 World Cup for also have been part of the de- out a Premier League title only came to life in the late aei galloped down the right and of almost two decades repre- modest Portugal side adds to Argentina. bate, but now he surely has since 2013 to renewed glory, it exchanges as the rain steadily sent in an inviting cross that Al senting your country at the Ronaldo’s allure. But now that Individual awards can be to win the biggest trophies at might be his greatest achieve- fell to make conditions diffi- Sabhi, evading the attentions of highest level, which speaks of Lionel Messi has won a major looked at, but the FIFA Best mega-rich Paris Saint-Ger- ment yet. cult for both teams. a hesitant Ueda, swept home to your tremendous commitment tournament with Argentina award having previously been main as well. It was the visitors who put give Oman an emotional win. and dedication to your art and – the Copa America in July - merged with the Ballon d’Or, This is where Ronaldo has Ronaldo hails Ali Daei page 10 Ronaldo to miss Azerbaijan clash, Qatar friendly after ban DPA/TNN fication, forces him to fulfil an movement and linkup play in the attacking third, assum- LONDON/DEBRECEN official game of suspension, with fellow forward Jovic cre- ing a playmaking role; the gift- which will happen against ated most chances for Ser- ed left winger sparked Qatar’s CRISTIANO Ronaldo has Azerbaijan.” bia; even though the duo was best 20 minutes of the night. been released from the Por- Ronaldo’s release means indeed aided by several un- This was Qatar’s first tugal squad after firing them he will also not feature in Sat- characteristic defensive errors match since the Gold Cup to World Cup qualifier victory urday’s friendly against World made by the Qatar backline. semi-final loss to the US last over the Republic of Ireland in Cup hosts Qatar in Hungary, Serbia ranked 29 in the month, following a valiant dramatic fashion. although there is no indication world, enjoyed 58 per cent of campaign in the North Ameri- The 36-year-old scored a as yet as to when he will join the ball possession against Qa- can biennial event. world record 110th interna- up with Manchester United tar’s 42 per cent. Coached by Felix Sanchez, tional goal to cancel out John after signing for the club for a In what turned out to be Qatar next play Portugal on Egan’s opener with just a min- second time earlier this week.