The ex-Arsenal favourite feels that the Madrid star's exploits in the Champions League quarter-finals make him more inspirational than the Argentine
Former Barcelona attacker Alexander Hleb has said Cristiano Ronaldo is a better leader than Lionel Messi, but still feels the latter is the best player in the world.
Barca were dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday after Roma staged a shock comeback in Italy, with Messi failing to make an impact as the Catalan side crashed out of Europe's top club competition.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, scraped past Juventus by the skin of their teeth, with Ronaldo's injury-time penalty enough to halt the Serie A champions' dramatic second-leg fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And Hleb, when asked to give his analysis of the quarter-finals, had some strong opinions on the two biggest names in world football.
“Of course Messi is the best in the world,” the 36-year-old told Sport Express , “He is the leader of Barcelona.
“He has the mission to help the team in difficult times and he couldn't create even one goal. He was impotent.
“With all respect to Leo, Ronaldo is a better leader of his team than Messi.”
Hleb spent four years on the books at Barca after leaving Arsenal in 2008, but found playing time hard to come by and was sent out on loan three times to Stuttgart, Birmingham City and Wolfsburg respectively, before completing a move to Krylia Sovetov Samara in Russia.
Real Madrid drew Bayern Munich in the Champions League draw on Friday , with the winner of that semi-final clash set to take on either Liverpool or Roma in the final.
malablata
131
r.Madrid vs juve 2nd leg, isco goal was wrongly rule out for foul, matuidi was gifted a goal after fouling the keeper, major offences that kept the game in the reach of juve, Madrid made to protest on neither, nor did they lost courage, neither did anyone said the ref was bought by aiding juve to cancel out Madrid hefty lead. don't want to mention the many penalties appeals esp on cr7 that were wave away. one good call for Madrid when medhi clearly foul Lucas by pushing in in the back and kicking him in the chest without contact on the ball, all esp the winner FC fans (#barcamessifanboys) start to yelled Madrid bought the ref. if the ref was bought why will he in the first play allow juve to cancel Madrid lead? he had many options to kill the game without letting it reach the last minute. juve fought bravely but with a bit of luck. the ref was on their side but there was no way he could had ever wave that penalty away as it was a clear foul and also denying a clear scoring opportunity. Buffon only bought in with the worst attitude of his career and for his actions, we who watch football and not cricket, we who are die hard fans of football and not members of winners FC, know it has to be red. if the deer like, let it stop eating leaf, the leopard spots will forever remain. cr7 was recently hail by an Argentine legend as a great leader, now a barca former player, this guy is indeed a legend. he don't buy appeal, his majesty play force people to love him. he had ended all argument on comparing him and messi and even the barca fan boys try to stick their messi side him for some glory. cr7, you the best, your a leader, a winner, a big game player. you have your regular meal, Bayern, go dish and eat them well, use them to reach your goals to 20+ as you did last season when you collected five off them.
Donvirgin
126
for me messi is still the best player of all time messi is 4 in 1 player he can play every where in Barcelona information Ronald can not do that for real Madrid.let us support messi . messi is Barcelona and Barcelona is messi.if you like my comments please hit the box
VebAkes
72
Hit like if you think Ronaldo is faraway better than messi
Mosanya
60
For me I will say both of them are better you can compare them, they have different similarities to each other, they are extraordinary. For years they have been showing what they are made of and it it continues over and over. They are the greatest footballer the world as ever seen. They both won it all, their performance is outstanding, they score all types of incredible goals both in free kicks and penalties. They have broke all series of records that has ever been made. It is an pleasure and honour to praise and watch how they play their wonderful football. They have been consistent over the decades, as being a great player. I will say Lionel Messi is the G.O.A.T 👑 While Cristiano Ronaldo is the best of all time.
zogemsitlhou
49
Its impossible to ignore either of them. Their talents though a bit different from each other still provides for the same end products. Those are entertaining people, scoring goals for fun, decisive, inspirational, winning back to back trophies etc, the list can be almost endless. So, its not about who is greater than whom. Its about how much they respect each other as professionals. They complement each other. Fans of both ought to respect the players just as they themselves do. Their story is one that will be told for generations to come.