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Anthony Joshua chooses Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest in football and

Anthony Joshua chose Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest in football and completed his list of “greatest” with Lewis Hamilton (F1), Michael Jordan (basketball), Mike Tyson (boxing), Tiger Woods (golf) and Jay-Z (rap).

29 July 2026
Anthony Joshua chooses Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest in football and

Anthony Joshua chooses Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest in football and

According to Championat.

Why this matters

Anthony Joshua's choice of Cristiano Ronaldo as football's greatest is not just a personal opinion, but reflects the global influence Ronaldo has on the sport. His career full of titles and records solidifies his position as an icon, especially among athletes in other sports. This type of recognition is crucial for the image of football and for the appreciation of figures who transcend their own sport.

Main conclusions

  • Anthony Joshua chooses Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest in football and.
  • Anthony Joshua chose Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest in football and completed his list of “greatest” with Lewis Hamilton (F1), Michael Jordan (basketball), Mike Tyson (boxing), Tiger Woods (golf) and Jay-Z (rap).
  • Звезда бокса Джошуа назвал величайшего атлета в футболе, Ф-1, баскетболе, боксе и гольфе.

Anthony Joshua, former unified world heavyweight champion, didn't hesitate when asked to name the greatest football player of all time: Cristiano Ronaldo. In conversation with the DAZN platform, the 36-year-old Briton participated in a game of quick choices and named his legends by sport, placing the National Team captain at the top of world football.

Asked about different disciplines, Joshua drew up a list full of unavoidable names: in football, “Ronaldo”; in golf, “Tiger Woods”; in rap, “Jay‑Z”; in basketball, “Michael Jordan”; in Formula 1, “Lewis Hamilton”; and, in boxing, “Mike Tyson”. A list that brings together cross-generational references and that once again highlights Cristiano Ronaldo's international weight in the global sporting imagination.

The choice of the Portuguese striker comes in a context in which the debate surrounding the “greatest of all time” in football continues to divide opinions. Competitive longevity, the titles accumulated at club and national team level, as well as the overall impact of his career, help explain why Ronaldo's name remains among the first to be mentioned whenever the discussion comes back to the table. For the Portuguese public, the distinction made by Joshua reinforces the Quinas team captain's status as a symbol of modern football.

Image

Anthony Joshua is, in his own right, an authoritative voice in sport. Professional since 2013, he has built a record of 28 wins, 25 of them by KO, and four defeats. Between 2016 and 2019, he unified the world heavyweight titles of the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO federations, starring in some of the most famous fights of the last decade. Before that, he shone at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where he won the gold medal in the super heavyweight category (+91 kg), a result that launched his professional boxing career.

The list released by the boxer largely highlights legends with a strong brand in the United States, such as Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods and Jay-Z, complemented by the British reference in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton. In football, however, the preference falls on a Portuguese name, proof of Cristiano Ronaldo's truly global reach.

The statements were reproduced by DAZN and quickly gained international circulation, reviving conversations about the legacy of the chosen athletes and, in particular, about Ronaldo's figure on the world football scene. In a period in which sport increasingly lives on transversality and comparison between eras, Joshua's selection works as a portrait of the figures who, due to their competitive and cultural dimension, have become synonymous with their respective sports.

What happens next

Following this statement, the debate over who is the 'greatest of all time' in football is likely to continue to rage, especially among fans and pundits. Joshua, as a respected figure in sports, can influence other athletes to share their opinions about Ronaldo and other icons. The discussion could also generate more attention for platforms like DAZN, which promote conversations about sports and celebrities.

Frequently asked questions

Who is considered the greatest football player according to Anthony Joshua?

Anthony Joshua chose Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest football player.

In what context did Anthony Joshua make his choice about the greatest in football?

Joshua made his choice during a conversation with the DAZN platform, participating in a quick choice game.

What other legends were mentioned by Anthony Joshua in different sports?

In addition to Cristiano Ronaldo in football, Joshua mentioned Tiger Woods in golf, Jay-Z in rap, Michael Jordan in basketball, Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1 and Mike Tyson in boxing.

How relevant is Cristiano Ronaldo in the debate about the 'greatest of all time' in football?

Cristiano Ronaldo is often mentioned in 'greatest of all time' discussions due to his competitive longevity, accumulated titles and global impact.

What is Anthony Joshua's professional career so far?

Anthony Joshua has been a professional since 2013, with a record of 28 wins, 25 of them by knockout, and four defeats.

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