Legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's success in reaching global heights has come down to work ethic and desire to be the best compared to Lionel Messi's natural born talent.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, legendary Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas discussed various subjects in a fascinating chat with Martín Ainstein, including his heart attack in 2019 and the differences between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Casillas retired earlier this year after a hugely successful career with Real Madrid, Spain and later on with Portuguese giants, Porto. It was at Madrid where he got a real insight into the life and mindset of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The debate, which has been contested in every city across the world pits Lionel Messi against Ronaldo, and Casillas has his own opinion on who is the real star.
"Cristiano always had huge desire to be the best, every since he was a boy and I believe he has achieved that. If I have to compare him to Messi, what Cristiano has done is more impressive because we all know the talent Messi has, but Cristiano was determined and worked hard to be the best. I feel we have been lucky to have been able to enjoy two phenomenal players. For people that don't know Cristiano, he can appear to be cocky and arrogant, but it's totally the opposite."
After suffering a heart attack in May 2019, the player capped 167 times for Spain went on to discuss a truly traumatic experience at the age of 37. The Spaniard was admitted to Porto's CUF hospital after having “an acute myocardial infarction” during a morning training session in Portugal.
"I was very fortunate with how things turned out, sadly it's not the case for everyone. It has changed me, you must do the things you like doing and live your life. I have spoken to people that I had not spoken to for a long time. I now live day to day, focus on what I can do today and not worry about tomorrow or next week."
Cristiano heart surgery
Cristiano Ronaldo underwent heart surgery when he was 15 years old. His mother Dolores Aveiro recalled in her book "Mother Courage" how doctors told her that her son might never play football again. In the Portuguese player's case, the problem was an irregular heartbeat.
danny7_ida
2224
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
ronaldo❤forever
1113
gaining greatness by talent is easy but gaining greatness by hardwork it's so hard know the difference, but both had unbelievable focus and they both sacrificed a lot for this sport hats off for both of the greatest athleats
ishti
739
OK, unpopular openion:- I have always seen almost everybody saying that "Messi is naturally gifted where as Ronaldo worked hard to be there", I don't agree with this completely. Agreeing completely with this means:- 1) Messi has not worked hard enough, when the reality is he has burnt midnight oil to where he is today. He has won his battle against hormone deficiency by HARD WORK. 2) It also means that Ronaldo was not gifted at all. Hundreds of athletes all over the world work as hard as Ronaldo (if not more) but they don't succeed. Many footballers work hard but they don't make it. I saw Victor Anichebe work like a horse, but he failed to make any sort of impact on his team. So in nutshell, both were natural talented ( one slightly more than the other) and both have worked hard ( again one slightly more than the other).
Mosanya
642
Both players were born talent and both also succeeded with hardwork, if Messi had talent and did not work hard, he would not be where he is and would still be look down for his hormone deficiency disease as a kid, if Ronaldo didn't work also, he won't have the ridiculous amount of money he has today. Both footballers worked hard to reach where they are, talent can get you to anywhere, That is why we enjoy watching them play because they are impressive and Their rivalry can be carried over years even after they retire, the fans will still continue to debate on who is the best. 🐐
gallasyommy
202
Casillas must be very good at Summary in school. 👌👌👌
SH3012
59
Messi is an Alien who does Alien things whereas Ronaldo is a human who does Alien things.😎🔥
VAR-IS-SHIT
37
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
i totally agree with you... some stupid people keep saying messi doesn't do hardwork, or ronaldo has no talent and just trains more... they don't understand hardwork without talent is nothing, and talent without hardwork is a waste... both have talent, and both have done immense hardwork to reach the level at what they are... it's just that one had better natural talent comparatively and one does comparatively more hardwork... these both are arguably the best players of all time, and it is a disgrace that some people disrespect them... it is not wrong to choose between one, but it is wrong to disrespect the other 🐐🐐
Gunners4ever❤
26
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
Coudn't have been put out any better. You speak facts mate👊😊
Futballfairfan
21
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
I agree with you dude, all credit ought to go to their maker and talent giver (Jehovah God) both are talented and hardworking.
SanNan
17
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
Ik man the only difference between cr7 and messi is the position they play height and preferred foot thats all
ajw
15
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
true mate, Ronaldo is very talented and messi is a hard worker
Openminded
12
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
I have followed AF first as a visitor before making an account. It's been a while since i last saw a comment that deserves it likes and even more. AF should employ you to be writing their articles.
Davichi
9
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
Thank you very much.
Iamdaphoenix
8
i totally agree with you... some stupid people keep saying messi doesn't do hardwork, or ronaldo has no talent and just trains more... they don't understand hardwork without talent is nothing, and talent without hardwork is a waste... both have talent, and both have done immense hardwork to reach the level at what they are... it's just that one had better natural talent comparatively and one does comparatively more hardwork... these both are arguably the best players of all time, and it is a disgrace that some people disrespect them... it is not wrong to choose between one, but it is wrong to disrespect the other 🐐🐐
God bless u... realest comment eva
maxm70
8
OK, unpopular openion:- I have always seen almost everybody saying that "Messi is naturally gifted where as Ronaldo worked hard to be there", I don't agree with this completely. Agreeing completely with this means:- 1) Messi has not worked hard enough, when the reality is he has burnt midnight oil to where he is today. He has won his battle against hormone deficiency by HARD WORK. 2) It also means that Ronaldo was not gifted at all. Hundreds of athletes all over the world work as hard as Ronaldo (if not more) but they don't succeed. Many footballers work hard but they don't make it. I saw Victor Anichebe work like a horse, but he failed to make any sort of impact on his team. So in nutshell, both were natural talented ( one slightly more than the other) and both have worked hard ( again one slightly more than the other).
@ishti You are correct, they both work hard to be the best.
SkullSwagger
8
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
was gonna comment the exact same thing after reading the article looks like I handled it 😂
Fawadmnu
8
These people just think that messi sat down in his parlor and become so great or that ronaldo was someone who couldn't kick a ball and just worked hard and become the best. The truth is that both these guys are very talented and both work very hard. People should stop undermining messi's hardwork and ronaldo's talent
well said boss