Eusebio thought he is better than Ronaldo

Benfica's 1960s great Eusebio has weighed in to the argument, saying he was upset by what he considered to be an unfair comparison because he had played fewer matches than Ronaldo.

"I am saddened because we can't make that comparison. It's a mistake because I played (around) 60 matches to score that amount (41 goals)," Eusebio told Portuguese national television.

           

Ronaldo reached 43 goals in 106 internationals after his hat-trick earned Portugal a 4-2 comeback win over Northern Ireland in last month's World Cup qualifier.

"This is historic. I'd scored a lot of hat-tricks for Real Madrid but never any for Portugal," he said after the game.

"Going above Eusebio in the scorers' list was a natural thing to happen and it was only a matter of time but still I am really proud," the smiling player said while showing off the match ball.

Ronaldo, a product of Sporting Lisbon's youth academy, has had a massive impact during his time with Manchester United, where he won the Champions League, and at Real Madrid.

Eusebio spent most of his career at Benfica, winning the 1962 European Cup and 11 league titles.

Those behind the 'Black Panther' say he excelled at a time when soccer science was limited.

“Eusebio had no preparation, no gyms, no academies. He became what he did through sheer talent,” said Hilario Conceicao, former coach to Ronaldo and Figo.

His 1960s team mate Jose Augusto told o Jogo: “Footballs are all high-tech and vulcanised today, much faster, lighter and with unpredictable trajectories. With today's balls Eusebio would have scored double the goals.”

Despite their differences the two players have a lot in common - devastating shooting, power and pace and the ability to use both feet.

“Technically the two are not actually that distant. Both are incredible hard-workers who loved to practice and improved from a very young age,” said Jose Pereira, the head of Portugal's coach association.

“Ronaldo and Eusebio thrived thanks to a tremendous sense of opportunity up front and explosive runs,” Pereira said. “Both are football giants.”

That said, with Ronaldo still performing, a major international trophy or a player of the tournament award in Brazil next year would perhaps tilt the balance in his favour for good. – Reuters