"As players who faced them both, we know the difference" - Rodri names 'greatest footballer' in Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate
Manchester City superstar Rodri has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer to have ever lived, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner also claimed that Ronaldo matched Messi without any natural talent in the box, whereas the latter was a threat across the pitch.
The GOAT debate between Ronaldo and Messi has raged on for years, with both superstars dominating the sport for nearly two decades. They have accumulated a total of 13 Ballons d'Or, with Messi winning eight - the most in football history - the most recent coming in 2023.
Rodri faced both icons during his time in LaLiga with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. In an interview with El Hormiguero, he recently said (via @TheEuropeanLad on X):
"Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer ever lived. Cristiano Ronaldo was able to match Lionel Messi without any natural talent, but as players who faced them both, we know the difference. With Cristiano, we didn't want him to enter the box because he was deadly there. But with Messi, he would be dangerous with getting the ball anywhere on the pitch."
He added:
"When Messi received the ball, you were thinking: there is danger coming.. When I faced him, I would try to take the ball away from him, but he would get away from you as if you weren't there. Everytime he touched the ball, I knew something bad was about to happen."
Rodri, who is sidelined for the 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury, chose teammate Kevin De Bruyne as his GOAT over Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (via GOAL).
"He’s pure talent, a gift from God" - Angel Di Maria on Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi GOAT debate
Benfica star Angel Di Maria reckons Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time due to his talent. The Argentine also claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has had to work extremely hard behind the scenes to get to where he is, whereas Messi doesn't need to do anything extra to perform on the pitch.
Di Maria told Juan Pablo Varsky on Clank (via GOAL):
“I’ve always said the same thing - they are the two best in history. But it’s obvious that the best, by far, is Leo. It’s not just because of the eight Ballon d’Or awards he’s won, but because of everything else. Cristiano is about work, work and work. But Messi, he’s pure talent, a gift from God. He doesn’t need to do anything extra to be the best.”
He continued:
“Cristiano had to train hard, spend hours in the gym, perfect his finishing, and always push himself. But Leo, it’s like he’s just playing with friends. That’s why the difference between them is so big. Leo is unmatched.”
Di Maria has played alongside both superstars, giving him a unique point of view. He played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2014, winning six trophies. They shared the pitch a total of 166 times across competitions with a joint goal participation of 28.
On the other hand, Di Maria forged a lethal partnership with Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team prior to his international retirement over the summer. They played 142 games together with a joint goal participation of 16, winning five trophies, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
