- Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players to ever play in the English Premier League. The attacker won numerous trophies and individual awards in the league.
- Few English Premier League players can boast of a bigger legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo.
- The Manchester United star is still the only Premier League player in recent years to win a Ballon d’Or.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the complete forward players to step on a football pitch. The Portuguese international joined Manchester United as a youngster from Sporting CP in 2003.
Ronaldo showed his potential at Manchester United, where he emerged as one of the best players in the world. He won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 while playing in the Premier League.
Before leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid, Ronaldo left an enviable legacy in England’s top division. He won numerous trophies with the Red Devils as well as individual awards.
Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo/ Twitter.
Cristiano Ronaldo won Premier League Player of the Season two consecutive times (2006-07 and 2007-08). He also won the Golden Boot during the 2007-08 season. More than ten years later, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the last Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or.
Despite his achievements, there are few players who arguably have a bigger legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo in the Premier League.
1. Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry was a nightmare to opposition defenders during his days as a footballer. The Arsenal legend could do the unthinkable and score a brilliant goal within a minute. He ruled the Premier League during his time with the Gunners.
Thierry Henry spent nine seasons at Arsenal, where he was an icon. During the 2001-02 season, Henry played a huge role in Arsene Wenger’s championship-winning side. He won his first Golden Boot that season after scoring 24 league goals.
Thierry Henry. Photo/ Twitter.
The Frenchman won his second Golden Boot during the 2003-04 season, scoring 30 goals in 34 appearances. He played a huge role as Arsenal won the 2003-04 Premier League titles.
By the time Henry left Arsenal in 2007, he had scored 175 goals and registered 74 assists in 258 Premier League appearances. He had also won the Premier League Player of the Season twice (2003-04, 2005-06).
2. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is arguably the best central midfielder to ever play in the English Premier League. The England international spent his entire career at Old Trafford.
Scholes, who played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for six seasons, has a bigger Premier League legacy than the Portuguese forward. The talented midfielder won eleven Premier League titles with the Red Devils.
During his 20 seasons in the Premier League, Scholes scored 107 goals and recorded 55 assists in 499 appearances.
3. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs is a perfect example of a one-man club. Just like Paul Scholes, the legendary footballer spent his entire professional career playing for Manchester United.
Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs spent their careers at Manchester United. Photo/ The Sportstar – The Hindu.
For six years, Ryan Giggs was Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate before the Portuguese international left for Real Madrid. They helped the Red Devils win three Premier League titles during their time together.
However, Ryan Giggs has a better Premier League legacy than Cristiano due to the fact that he won several titles after Ronaldo left. Giggs had also won several titles before Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo. The Welshman won 13 Premier League titles before retiring.
Ryan Giggs scored 109 goals and registered 162 assists in 623 Premier League games for the Red Devils.
4. Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero will always be remembered as one of the best strikers to ever play in the English Premier League. The Manchester City icon emerged as a Premier League star in his debut with the Cytizens.
Aguero scored 23 league goals in his first season with Manchester City. Premier League fans will always remember his last goal for the 2011-12 season that won Manchester City their first Premier League title in recent years.
By the time Sergio Aguero left Manchester City in 2021, he had scored 184 goals and registered 47 assists in 275 league appearances. The Argentine won the Golden Boot during the 20134-15 season when he scored 26 goals.
5. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard is one of the best central midfielders in history. The England international spent his career in the Premier League playing for West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Lampard faced Cristiano Ronaldo several times during his time with the Blues. The brilliant central midfielder arguably has a better Premier League legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The England international spent 13 seasons at Stamford Bridge, recording 147 goals and 90 assists in 429 league matches. His best Premier League season was 2004-05, when he scored 13 goals and assisted 18.
Drank Lampard made 609 Premier League appearances for the three teams he played for. He scored 177 goals and registered 102 assists.
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