Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has picked Lionel Messi over former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo as the "greatest ever" player. He admitted that the duo are the greatest ever to play the game but picked the Argentine over the Portuguese.
He said (via GiveMeSport):
“Messi. I think I’ve said this before, but they’re both probably the best two players to ever play the game. I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest ever.”
It is a surprising pick, given that Rooney had a brilliant partnership on the pitch with Ronaldo during their time together at Manchester United. They won three Premier League titles and one Champions League title, among other trophies.
The Portuguese has contributed 698 goals and 230 assists in club football in 933 matches for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. He also recently became the highest ever goal scorer in football with 815 goals for club and country.
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times along with five Champions League titles, two La Liga titles and two Serie A titles, among other honors.
Messi, meanwhile, has scored 683 goals and provided 318 assists in 812 matches for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He's won La Liga an incredible 10 times and the Champions League four times. He's also won a record seven Ballon d'Ors.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi likely to feature in their last ever FIFA World Cup this year
The legendary duo have dominated world football for more than a decade now. They've won 12 Ballon d'Ors in the last 13 years and have a rivalry unlike any other.
However, with Ronaldo now 37 and the Argentine now at 34, the end of their era seems to be closer than ever. The FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year could be the last one for both players.
Neither has won the World Cup yet and will certainly want to tick that off on their already illustrious achievements list. Both have won their respective continental competitions though, with Portugal winning the 2016 Euros and Argentina winning the 2021 Copa America.
Both countries have built a good squad to challenge for the World Cup trophy. It could perhaps be a fairytale end for one of the two.
Nonetheless, it is likely to be the end of an era with the legendary duo potentially playing their last World Cup.
JoyNg
194
Ronaldo is far far better than dwarf and Rooney combined👌🔥🔥 The GREATEST EVER in all football history🐐🌎⚽🔥💥
Jeremy1000
131
I am a United player. I respect Ronaldo's personality in and outside the pitch. The most cheerful giver in sports. To be honest, they are the two best players in history. The difference is that, Ronaldo is a goal scorer while Messi is a team player which gives Messi an upper hand over Ronaldo. If I'm to choose a dream team, both would be in my team but Messi is essential.
fizbizzie
118
Messi is already at Maradonna and Pele level, while ronaldo is still at Kane and Mo Salah level at most.
vuzabemprs
80
vuzabemprs
61
Charliechaplain
60
everybody is jealous of messi including ronaldo even Ronaldo ex teammates chooses messi they only chose ronaldo wen they're currently playing wit him
Dniprosper
45
Can we just end this debate already? We already know Messi is the Greatest to have ever played the beautiful game. But they will always argue 😂. To those of you that still love to Argue do that with your phone 😂
Charliechaplain
39
even the ball knows messi is the greatest footballer ever
vuzabemprs
37
Madeshveralvl
13
Ronaldo is far far better than dwarf and Rooney combined👌🔥🔥 The GREATEST EVER in all football history🐐🌎⚽🔥💥
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🤣😂 next joke please
Jombdkopu
12
Ronaldo is far far better than dwarf and Rooney combined👌🔥🔥 The GREATEST EVER in all football history🐐🌎⚽🔥💥
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Give me one more joke pls and I will go to sleep 😴