Former footballer and 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Valdano spoke about the two best players of the last decade: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
He described the former as a phenomenon and the latter as a genius
Despite the fact that Messi is his compatriot, the former Real Madrid player said that Ronaldo has more merit than Messi because of the work it has taken him to leave a legacy in world football.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon. He looks like a downgrade compared to Messi, who I define as a genius, but be careful because sometimes a phenomenon has more merits than a genius," Valdano told TyC Sports.
"The genius is born and the phenomenon is developed. Cristiano has even built himself a new body, he has a lot of merit for what he has done, and he has taken several Ballon d'Or awards away from the genius."
CR7 and Real Madrid
The former Argentina international, ruled out the much-talked about possible return of the Portuguese to Real Madrid, with the striker keen to leave Manchester United to join a team that plays in the Champions League.
"Cristiano at Real Madrid is a closed case, that's it. Florentino [Perez, president of Real Madrid] under no circumstance would retrace his steps, but what Ronaldo did at Real Madrid puts him among the greatest in the history of the club, and I think that's enough," he said.
Valdano's comments come at a time when people around the world are comparing Messi's recent bicycle kick for PSG in Ligue 1 against Clermont last weekend with CR7's goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League a few years ago against Juventus.
GunneR404
73
perfectly summarized... but how can you compare Messi's overhead kick against Clermont in Ligue1 against Ronaldo's overhead kick against Juve in the UCL knockout stage...please don't come under my comment saying it's an overhead chip coz it can't even be compared to the 10 greatest overhead kicks of all time
JoyNg
47
π©πͺ πππ‘π°ππ’π§π¬πππ’π ππ« π¨π§ πππ¬π¬π’ ππ§π ππ¨π§ππ₯ππ¨: "I am not interested to compare anyone with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. When I was still on the pitch, they were the best players in the world, and even now that I have retired and I am a TV Pundit, and when I watch football, still no one is as good as as Messi and Cristiano. Their numbers are scintillating, yes Cristiano got more goals but I think it is because Lionel Messi has played less games than Cristiano and he is a bit younger than him. But make no mistake, no one even today is as good as these two greats. I will never be interested to your Haaland and Mbappe taking over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, that is the biggest insult or the biggest promotion media is trying to publish to people. People aren't blind and they won't buy that idea, they know that nobody will take over them, even after their retirement. I am sorry to Mbappe and Haaland, they are doing what other great footballers do, which is good for them, but not what Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have done, and what they are still doing." π¦π·π΅πΉπ₯
kioanortz
44
Lots of football genius came and went π People often think Messi doesn't work hard just bcoz he doesn't post everything on Insta π€£ It's impossible for someone to perform on highest level without working hard..
nowhereee
42
Imagine comparing a direct cross bicycle kick(Ronaldo's) vs A Chest Controlled one(Messi) to have the same height π This proves how Stupid Ronaldo fans are, and they don't watch games they just watch the pictures π Please guys start watching football it is fascinating π
JoyNg
33
Funnyπ how People cannot even differentiate between WHEELBARROW kick and BICYCLE kickπππππ
Toobdekryz
23
this two bicycle kick can already tell you that Ronaldo is the best, Messi's bicycle kick is with the both hands on the ground. check the one for Ronaldo it's a world class bicycle kick the entire body is in the air. it's is just outstanding. only blind people can compare this two bicycle kick.
mabaeiloz
17
Jorge Valdano, I hope you compare Messi to CR7 Jr.