There’s no denying that Ronaldo Nazario is one of the greatest players in soccer history, widely considered by many to be the most outstanding striker of all time. Having shared the pitch with countless legends like Ronaldinho and Kaka during his illustrious career, the former Real Madrid forward has a clear answer when it comes to the best teammate he ever played alongside.
The Brazilian icon won two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 2002) with the national team and shined at every club he represented. Beyond his titles, Ronaldo’s legacy is cemented by his extraordinary skill, earning admiration from elite players for his ability to dribble past defenders and score in every way imaginable.
In a recent interview with Romario on the Brazilian star’s YouTube channel, Ronaldo revealed who he considers his greatest teammate. Without hesitation, Ronaldo confidently named his pick: “Zinedine Zidane.”
The two superstars played together for four seasons at Real Madrid during the iconic “Galácticos” era of the early 2000s. Ronaldo was full of praise for Zidane, stating: “He played at a completely different level—so technical, with incredible ease on the ball… My God, what class!”
Starters of Real Madrid pose for a photo before a friendly match against Chivas De Guadalajara on July 16, 2005. Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane were in that team. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Together, Ronaldo and Zidane captured three trophies during their time with Los Blancos: a La Liga title, a Spanish Super Cup, and the 2002 Intercontinental Cup. However, Ronaldo joined the club after their 2002 UEFA Champions League triumph, meaning he narrowly missed out on lifting Europe’s most coveted trophy with Zidane and the team.
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At the time, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez assembled a team of global stars. From stealing Luis Figo away from Barcelona to signing David Beckham, Perez paired them with existing talents like Roberto Carlos and Iker Casillas. Zidane and Ronaldo were the ultimate finishing touches to a squad destined for greatness.
Ronaldo on his worst teammate
While he was full of praise for Zidane, Ronaldo didn’t shy away from naming the worst teammate he ever had. Without hesitation, he pointed to Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen. “A really funny guy, but as a footballer, he was a disaster,” Ronaldo remarked. “His only skill was hitting the ball really hard—nothing else”.
