The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or was asked about the ongoing discussion over the Argentine and Portuguese legends.
One of the defining moments of 2024 was the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Rodri Hernández was crowned the best footballer in the world for his outstanding performance in the previous season. Now, the Manchester City midfielder and Spanish international is making headlines again during his media tour, where he has opened up about his career, personal decisions in football, and how it feels to receive the sport’s most prestigious individual honor.
During an appearance on the popular Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, Rodri didn’t hold back when asked to name the most impactful footballer of all time. His answer? “There’s no doubt—Messi,” he said. “Cristiano has managed to match him in many aspects, maybe without the innate talent that Leo has.
“Those of us who’ve played against them can immediately notice the difference.”
Rodri’s take: Messi vs Cristiano
Rodri elaborated on his choice, breaking down the unique challenges of facing each superstar on the pitch. “With Cristiano, the one thing you didn’t want was for him to enter the box. If he got in there, it was lethal,” Rodri explained. “But Messi? He was a threat everywhere. The ball would reach him, and you’d think, ‘Danger. Something is going to happen. I don’t know what, but something will.’”
The midfielder also shared his early memories of playing against Messi as a teenager. “I remember when I first faced him at 17 or 18. I thought I could take the ball from him—no chance. He’d just do his signature right-left dribble, and it didn’t matter what you tried.”
The verdict from a Pep Guardiola protegé
Currently sidelined with a knee injury, Rodri remains one of Manchester City’s most pivotal players under Pep Guardiola’s leadership in the Premier League. His remarks place him among a long list of players who have publicly favored the legendary FC Barcelona and Argentina star over Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer and Portugal’s captain.
princemarfoanim2gma
237
To some fan base.
Wakkufazire
232
Enjoy him when he's still alive "THE GOAT 🐐 🙌 "
ZéléSaichis
164
Don't bother reading - Messi is the GOAT
Davichi
74
Lionel Messi is the undisputed GOAT, followed by Pele and Maradona on the list of all time greats. It's only some Kangaroo fans that try to put someone who has been nothing but a goal merchant for a larger part of his career in such a position. Yet they're the ones crying rubbery when they're guilty of "multiple failed rubbery attempts". 😂
jesalam14
34
cr7 is the only goat 🐐 i know😎
putimopruy
9
To some fan base.
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Did fifa stop that goal? Did Thouwameni paid by fifa not to score that goal? Or the ball hate Cristiano and refused to enter Argentina net? Or the ball scored but referee refused to count it? Every loser always think winners are robbers!