Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo said that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest football player of all time.
The endorsement comes from one of the most decorated winter athletes in history, adding a high-profile sporting perspective to the enduring debate between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.
Klaebo shared his views during an interview conducted for The Athletic. The Olympic legend, who has won 11 gold medals [1], used the discussion to explore his own football aspirations and his perspective on the sport's elite figures.
While the interview was released in the period leading up to the current tournament, the skier's choice of Ronaldo as his "GOAT" highlights the global appeal of the Portuguese forward. Klaebo said he did not specify the exact technical reasons for his choice, but the conversation focused on the drive and excellence associated with the top tier of professional football.
As a dominant force in skiing, Klaebo's transition from athlete to admirer of football's tactical and physical demands reflects a broader trend of cross-sport respect. His status as a sporting icon in Norway—a nation with a deep passion for both winter sports and football—gives his commentary additional weight within the European sporting community.
The timing of the interview aligns with the heightened anticipation surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the global community focused on the tournament, athletes from other disciplines are increasingly weighing in on the legacies of the game's most prominent stars.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is his GOAT”
This endorsement illustrates the cultural intersection of elite athletics. By aligning himself with Ronaldo, Klaebo connects the discipline of Olympic skiing with the professional rigor of top-flight football, reinforcing Ronaldo's brand as a symbol of peak athletic performance during a World Cup cycle.
