Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has said he doesn't think footballers should be compared to Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo.
The duo are regarded as the finest players of the modern era and have each set extraordinary standards in front of goal.
Speaking to Icon, Pogba said Messi and Ronaldo have hit heights that make some players considered to be legends of the game look average:
"Messi and Ronaldo have shown in recent years: doing what they did, maintaining those stats – that is the exception, not the norm.
"If an attacker today scores 10 or 15 goals, he is likely to be told that it is not enough. But the player's work must be judged with perspective.
"You have to remember that someone like Pavel Nedved won the Ballon d'Or without his team winning the Champions League or without having scored much himself. He was simply the best in his role and was rewarded for what he was capable of doing on the field."
In an era when Messi and Ronaldo have taken productivity to new heights, it's not a shock to see more focus on numbers in the modern game.
MRCOOL
358
Comparing anyone to these 2 goats is a crime. They have achieved so much in their careers for both club and country. They are the record breakers. They made the evolution of football happen. A day will come when they will hung up their boots, then we will truly know the value of Messi and Ronaldo. Hatts off to the 2 legends. I would proudly tell my children and their children the story of the 2 legends.
vfc1
123
Both are best at their playing style
VanishPrasad
101
People constantly compare their playing styles as well as their accolades. Ronaldo is seen as a more complete in terms of his physical attributes. He’s as complete as a striker can get, with his ability to score pretty much all types of goals. From winning aerial duels or shoot in or well outside the box. Messi, on the other hand, is the master of one footballing skill in particular. Whilst he may not be as well rounded of an attacker as Ronaldo, his dribbling is so good you forget what he can’t do but focus on what he can do. To summarise these two are very different in terms of playing styles but statistically they’re hard to be separated. So when Ronaldo scores with his weaker foot or when Messi beats five, we don’t need to bicker about who lacks what because they’re both just as good as each other in terms of what counts; getting goals. This debate of who’s better has gone on for longer than necessary and it won’t stop even after these two are long retired. Let’s not forget people still debate over Maradona and Pele. With Ronaldo still going strong at 34 and Messi set to turn 32 in June, how many more seasons can we expect from the two? With the desire they have to outdo each other we can hope they have several years left. But it’s better to look at it realistically and admit that retirement for the two is closing in. With this in mind, we can applaud them until the end instead of arguing. Because who knows if the footballing prodigies can replicate a record-breaking rivalry.
amartious2000
68
Messi and Ronaldo is the yardstick in football now, if you cant beat them join them.
ayushman seth
60
Don't try to compare them you will confuse just amazes seeing there magic
lukzlat910
58
Pogba is darn right!! Never compare any player with those 2, it's up to you who you feel is the best but no one, NO ONE, should ever compare any player to Messi and Ronaldo
Desmondeyum
57
When you compare players to Messi and Ronaldo it does not help their careers because people always would expect more from them so if they can't provide that then their little effort is not seen
FireBlaze14K
54
Tell that to urself. Stop being prima donna. Just because u won the world doesn't mean u r the best. where is ur leadership ? u just throw hands in frustration towards other man united players when things don't go ur way. stop being self centered & try to motivate other players in good way not the bad way.
kezimotz
39
well modric too won Balloon D Or last time so if you play well in your position any player can win it.but pogba ain't that good to win balloon d or he's already 26 and fucking around people tell me he's got potential.fuck potentiality he's already 26 Rooney,Ronaldo,Beckham,Scholars, Gerrard,Giggs,Messi,Hazard,Neymar,Aguero,Silva all were main players of their club by that time. Pogba is nth except for a showboater.He scores penalty and celebrates like a world cup win fuck Pogba if he's to add misery on us.