Manchester United misfit Jadon Sancho did not hesitate to make his stance clear on the so-called ‘GOAT’ debate after he named the best player of all time.
Jadon Sancho’s loan spell with Borussia Dortmund will come to an end next month after he returned to the Bundesliga club in the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old Manchester United loanee left Old Trafford and returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan after his rift with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag criticised Sancho during the 2023-24 campaign after he revealed why he was not included in his matchday squad for the Arsenal match last September.
Sancho wasted no time in hitting back at the Dutchman on social media and the Dortmund player was subsequently frozen out of the United first team.
The United winger reportedly refused to apologise to Ten Hag and Sancho’s future at Old Trafford was plunged into doubt after his rift with the Red Devils boss.
Sancho, who only made three appearances for United in the 2023-24 season, has since secured regular first-team action during his second spell with Dortmund.
Man Utd winger Sancho names his ‘GOAT’
Jadon Sancho has impressed at times during his loan spell with Borussia Dortmund, with the Manchester United winger scoring three times in 20 appearances so far.
The England international made a real name for himself during his first run with the Bundesliga outfit before his blockbuster £73m move to Old Trafford in 2021.
Sancho’s loan spell with Dortmund will culminate on Saturday when the German side take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League final, the Three Lions winger was asked where he stands on the long-running ‘GOAT’ debate in football.
Sancho insisted that he sees United legend Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player of all time ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona.
When talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, he told CNN Sports: “He’s the ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of All Time [sic]) – what can I say?
“He deserves it. His dedication to the game is unmatched. You know, always in the gym, always just wanting to be better.”
Sancho on playing alongside Ronaldo
Sancho arrived at Old Trafford in the same transfer window as Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a blockbuster return to United in 2021.
United signed Ronaldo from Serie A side Juventus for £12.8m and the 39-year-old Portuguese forward made a stunning impact in the 2021-22 season.
Ronaldo scored an impressive 24 times in 38 appearances for the Red Devils, despite United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked as manager in the campaign.
However, the Al Nassr superstar fell down the pecking order after Erik ten Hag replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United manager.
Ronaldo ruthlessly criticised his treatment under Ten Hag and other issues at United during a bombshell interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan in 2022.
The Real Madrid and United legend left Old Trafford for the second time after his contract was mutually terminated and he went on to sign for Al Nassr in 2023.
Sancho admitted that it was a “pleasure” to share the pitch with Ronaldo at Old Trafford and said it was a “dream come true” for him.
“I had the pleasure to play with him,” he added.
“What a great guy he was for all the young players on the team. I learned so much from him.
“I’m just happy that I got to assist him against Tottenham, actually, one of his goals, and he got a hat-trick.
“So yeah, that was definitely a dream come true. You know, just watching him, idolising him.”