Ronaldo’s 2002 World Cup ended with eight goals, including both in Brazil’s 2–0 final win over Germany. We place the Brazilian seventh because his strongest football offers a thrilling case for the center-forward as a complete attacking threat. The challenge is peak versus longevity: should interrupted availability lower a player whose best level feels extraordinary? Our order says sustained excellence still matters. Rank only the player you would least want running at your defense in his prime, and Ronaldo could enter the top three.
Source: FIFA.
Photo: Milly barzellai · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and recompressed; same license.
