Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are undoubtedly the two greatest footballers of this generation. Debate as to who is better between the two has raged on for more than a decade now.
David Beckham's comments on the age-old debate have now resurfaced. In an earlier interview with Argentine outlet Telam, the Manchester United legend praised both Messi and Ronaldo but admitted that the Argentine was in a class of his own:
"He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest."
David Beckham and Lionel Messi had faced off against each other in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals in 2013 when PSG came up against Barcelona.
Barcelona went through on away goals after the two legs ended 2-2 and 1-1. Messi, who scored in the first leg, started the second leg on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.
PSG took the lead in the second leg, but Messi's introduction changed the flow of the game and helped Barcelona secure a vital draw. Speaking about Messi's impact, Beckham said:
"We were leading before Messi came in, and once he came in, Barcelona scored."
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have struggled at Manchester United and PSG this season
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United has not gone according to plan. While the Portuguese superstar has been United's top goalscorer this season, the Red Devils have been knocked out of all cup competitions and are in real danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.
Manchester United are currently in seventh position in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Despite having scored 12 goals in the Premier League, both Ronaldo himself and Manchester United would have definitely expected a better season.
Lionel Messi's move to PSG was expected to finally deliver an elusive UEFA Champions League title to the French club. However, a disappointing exit at the hands of Real Madrid in the round-of-16 has seen PSG's own fans boo the 7-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Compared to his extremely high standards, his performances in Ligue 1 have also not been up to the mark. While Messi does have an impressive 13 assists in 20 Ligue 1 appearances, he has only managed to find the back of the net 3 times in the league.
PSG are well on course to win Ligue 1 this season and hold a twelve-point lead over second-placed Marseille. But their abject elimination in the Champions League means that this season will be viewed as a failure for both PSG and Messi.
lented
227
That's the truth Messi is better than Ronaldo
charitywale
175
Don't get it twisted Messi ended the goat debate at the age of 23 with 3 ballon D'ORs.🔥🐐
Beautifulboy
132
Ronaldo is literally a brand. He is loved by people who don't watch football. Those are the people that say he is the best yet they haven't watched a 90 min game in their lives. Ronaldo is the best after Messi. Even his fans know this.
symas
87
agree with beckham, messi is unique
jhgyugy6
74
the problem with ronaldo fans is that u just say everything out of bias... if u rilly watch football you'd understand why most football players who have actually played with both of them or watched both of them play would go with messi as the greatest player in a aspects of the game not only goals Sit down and watch some YouTube clips, compare their statistics, and then you'll understand
baampstu
42
Even CR7 fans just watch some Youtube football clips from both of them, they will understand what Beckham said, but they just won't do that. I am not asking them to watch a whole match, just some clips, come on. Stop living in your little world. Imagine how many CR7 fanboys never watch football? The number might bigger than our thought.
Constantinetino
31
This is one fact about Ronaldo fans failed to understand,,out of their hate for messi makes them defend Ronaldo to be the best blindly not like they don't know the truth they do,,Some of us don't hate Ronaldo we admired him,,his a source of inspiration to strive on than messi why cos of his hunger to succeed, hunger to go for more and more every year consistently is what makes him far better than the rest ,,thats how its always easy to compare him with Messi cuz his the only person that comes close.But messi is just on a league of its own, so unique,,his style,his movements its not something u can gain from training no u don't see that,,Ronaldo is a product of consistent training while Messi is one's in a life time gift from God ,,,,I mean look out around who have u seen again that can duplicate or emulate Messi no one ,but nowadays u got Mbappe who typically moves like Ronaldo back in 2008,,,and u got Haaland who is so powerful in the air and positioning like Ronaldo,,but still can't find someone like Messi..Messi is the God of football,,haters choke with that period 👌
Blackpearlll
9
Wow. From a Madrid Fans..😳
so wat? look Bekham is Ronaldo teammate n R9 even his country man Figo they all are choosing Messi over Ronaldo so