Sir Alex Ferguson perfectly summed up the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate – by stressing the importance of both players to their respective teams.
Barcelona captain Messi and Juventus superstar Ronaldo have been compared throughout their careers as fans try to determine who the true GOAT is.
While many haven’t settled on who will go down as the better player, legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had a great compromise.
Ferguson, who managed Ronaldo for six years at Old Trafford, told snooker champion John Parrott per The Mirror: “People say who is the best player in the world? And plenty of people quite rightly say Messi – you can’t dispute that opinion.
“But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers… anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game. I’m not sure Messi could do it.
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“Ronaldo’s got two feet, he’s quick, great in the air, he’s brave – Messi’s brave, of course. I think Messi’s a Barcelona player.”
Ronaldo has performed at a world class level for three separate clubs, winning top trophies at United, Real Madrid and Juventus respectively.
Messi has been a Barcelona player for his entire career but attempted to leave last summer.
Ferguson was again questioned about who he’d pick between the duo in 2017 and he echoed the same sentiment, telling Independent: “When the ball is at Lionel Messi’s feet it is like he is wearing slippers.
“But there is a difference between Messi and Ronaldo and I’ll tell you what it is. I think Messi is a Barcelona player but Ronaldo could be playing for Stockport County and he would score a hat-trick. He is brilliant in the air and he has two feet.”
Messi recently opened up on the rivalry he has with ‘CR7’ and called it a truly ‘special duel.’
The 33-year-old also admitted he enjoyed having a rival in La Liga for nine years, before Ronaldo’s move to Turin in 2018.
He told DAZN: “The one with Cristiano Ronaldo was and is a special duel, which will remain forever.
“It lasted many years and it is not easy to maintain certain levels for a long time.
“Our teams were also very demanding: Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two strongest clubs in the world. Competing as equals for so many years is something that will remain forever. The duel between me and Cristiano Ronaldo was very good on a personal level and I think people enjoyed it.”
Who do you think is the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Let us know in the comments.
Messi of course