'I'm a Ballon d'Or winner – I have no doubt who's better out of Messi & Ronaldo'

Rodri has claimed that Lionel Messi is a better footballer than Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish stalwart has made a name for himself since joining Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in 2019, lifting four consecutive Premier League titles, four domestic trophies and a coveted Champions League for the Sky Blues. A hard-hitting defensive midfielder, the 28-year-old has been imperative in City's unbelievable form since joining the ranks of the Etihad elite - even bagging a Ballon d'Or this year thanks to his remarkable performances on the pitch.

The 2024/25 Premier League campaign has not been the kindest to Rodri however, the footballer suffering a season-ending ACL injury during September's 2-2 clash with Arsenal - with City's form dipping as a result of his absence. And while many football fans will consider Rodri to be one of the greatest talents at present, he remains far from the 'greatest of all time' debate pertaining to Messi and Ronaldo.

No stranger to throwing his own opinion in the hat, Rodri recently told Spanish TV programme El Hormiguero who he believes to be the better out of the Argentinian great and the Portuguese phenom, explaining: "I have no doubt, Messi," adding: "In the end, I always say it, Cristiano has managed to match Messi in many things, perhaps without the innate talent Leo has."

He continued: "Those of us who actually play against them immediately notice the difference. In Cristiano's case, you didn't want him to step into the area. When he did, he was lethal. But Messi was dangerous everywhere on the pitch. When Messi got the ball, you’d think ‘danger, something’s going to happen, but I don’t know what'.

"I remember when I started playing against him at 17-18 years old; he would dodge me like a bullfighter if I tried to take the ball from him. Right or left, it didn’t matter. I had a feeling something bad was going to happen." While Rodri has faced both men over the course of his career on multiple occasions, he has always seemingly fared better against Ronaldo - achieving four wins, three draws and three losses in ten games.

Meanwhile, when faced with Messi, Rodri has only achieved a single win from eight meetings - settling for two draws and suffering five losses. Messi has enjoyed a highly-decorated career in football, and at 37-years-old he shows no signs of slowing down just yet.

The Argentine kicked off his career with Barcelona B in 2003, before being called up to the first team the following year. He spent a total of 18 years playing professional football at the Nou Camp, scoring 672 goals and making 303 assists in 708 games and lifting 10 La Liga titles, 14 domestic cups and four Champions Leagues.

He made the move to PSG in 2021, spending two years in the French capital before signing for Inter Miami in 2023 - where he is under contract until next December. Thanks to his remarkable achievements, Messi has racked up eigh Ballon d'Ors across his career.

Ronaldo, meanwhile spent his formative years with Sporting CP before he was snapped up and brought to Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2003. CR7 spent six years in the north west, lifting three Premier League titles, four domestic cups and a Champions League before he made the move to Real Madrid in 2009.

With five Ballon d'Ors to his name, Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018, returned to Manchester United in 2021, and joined Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr in 2023, where he continues to impress at the age of 39.