In a recent interview with Mothers 102.FM in Accra, former Hearts of Oak forward Bernard Dong-Bortey didn’t shy away from asserting his superiority over Cristiano Ronaldo in the art of taking free kicks. Renowned for his dead-ball expertise during his playing days, Dong-Bortey confidently claimed that his prowess in free-kick situations outshines that of the former Real Madrid star.
With a bold stance, Dong-Bortey dismissed Ronaldo’s free-kick abilities, suggesting that the likes of Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, David Beckham, Pirlo, and Juninho are more deserving of recognition in discussions about free-kick skills. “Ronaldo lags noticeably,” remarked Dong-Bortey, highlighting his belief that his skills align more closely with legendary free-kick takers such as Roberto Carlos, Figo, Pirlo, Totti, Juninho, and Ronaldinho.
During his tenure with Hearts of Oak, Dong-Bortey played an instrumental role in the team’s triumphs, contributing to their four Ghana Premier League titles and their 2004 CAF Confederation Cup victory.
In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, currently plies his trade for Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League. With an illustrious career that includes five UEFA Champions League titles and league triumphs with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo’s accolades speak volumes about his impact and success in the world of football.