Hugo Sánchez, one of Mexico’s greatest soccer legends and a former Real Madrid star, has never shied away from sharing bold opinions about the sport. Recently, the iconic goal scorer reignited the never-ending “Greatest of All Time” debate, stunning fans by naming his choice for the best player in history—excluding both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two names that usually dominate the conversation.
The discussion was sparked once again when Cristiano Ronaldo, in an interview with Edu Aguirre on El Chiringuito TV, declared himself the greatest footballer of all time, explaining why he believes he stands above everyone else. Sánchez, however, had a different take. In an interview with Fútbol Picante, the Mexican legend responded to Ronaldo’s claim:
“He’s definitely one of the best, but he said, ‘I think,’ and when you say ‘I think,’ it means you’re not fully sure. But what else is he supposed to say about himself? That’s fine,” Sánchez remarked.
Rather than siding with either Ronaldo or Messi, Sánchez went on to name the player he considers the true GOAT: “If you ask me who the best player in history is, for me, it’s Pelé.”
The journey of Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players in Mexico’s history and a Real Madrid legend. Born on July 11, 1958, in Mexico City, he began his professional career with Pumas UNAM, where he quickly emerged as a lethal striker. His success with the club, including a league title in the 1976-77 season, paved the way for his move to Europe.
In 1981, Sánchez signed with Atlético Madrid, where he established himself as one of LaLiga’s most feared goal scorers. His acrobatic finishes and signature bicycle kicks caught the attention of Real Madrid, which secured his transfer in 1985. During his time with Los Blancos, Sánchez reached his peak, winning five consecutive LaLiga titles and claiming the Pichichi Trophy five times as the league’s top scorer. His 1989-90 season remains legendary, as he netted 38 league goals—all from open play, without a single penalty.
After his dominant spell with Real Madrid, Sánchez played for several clubs, including América and Atlante in Mexico, as well as teams in the United States and Austria. Although his career began to decline in the 1990s, he continued to showcase his goal-scoring instincts until retiring in 1997. On the international stage, he represented Mexico in three World Cups (1978, 1986, and 1994), though he never managed to lead El Tri past the quarterfinals.
Post retirement
Following his retirement, Sánchez transitioned into coaching, achieving notable success with Pumas UNAM by leading them to back-to-back league titles in 2004. He also managed the Mexican national team from 2006 to 2008, though his tenure ended in disappointment after failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Despite mixed results as a manager, his legacy as a player remains unquestioned—cementing his place as one of the greatest soccer strikers in LaLiga history and an icon of Mexican football.