Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone has sought to clear up his leaked comments about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup.
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone has sought to clarify the comments he made about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup last month, saying he would "without a doubt" choose his countryman over the former Real Madrid striker.
In a leaked message to Atlético assistant Germán Burgos after the Messi's poor display in the Argentina's 3-0 defeat to Croatia, Simeone appeared to praise Portugal's Ronaldo - who had just scored a hat-trick against Spain and the winner against Morocco - at his rival's expense.
"Messi is very good, but..."
"Messi is very good, but he's very good because he's accompanied by fantastic players [at Barça]," Simeone told Burgos. "If you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for an average team, who would you go for?"
"I'd choose Messi, without a doubt"
However, speaking ahead of Atlético's International Champions Cup pre-season clash against Paris Saint-Germain in Singapore on Monday, Simeone declared: "I'd choose Messi [over Ronaldo], without a doubt.
"When I said what I did about Messi and Ronaldo, I wasn't talking about who is the best player in the world. I was saying that in a team of average players, Ronaldo would probably be a better fit. But, when surrounded by top players, Messi is the best in the world."
McQueen213
481
He choose messi ahead of ronaldo cos he knows d damage Ronaldo has done to him in la liga and champions league😂😂, take heart dude we all know Ronaldo is far better than Messi..
Bikashizhere
371
Because He is hurted by Cr7’s Hatrick against Atletico Madrid.. 😂😂😍
osaid
301
simeone is a biggest joke himself he said ronaldo is good even in a average team while messi is only good if he is surrounded by amazing players which clearly shows that Ronaldo is better than messi nd best ever u jocker simeone
holythugg
210
So with your little understanding Simeone who is the best? because you just contradicted yourself now. Ronaldo is the best because he has shone everywhere he went to. Even in a team of average players he has shone as well as a team of professionals. so what are you talking about dullard?
truthnwosu55
181
can you see how stupid simeone is... when it comes to average team players Ronaldo is the best but when it comes to fantastic team players Messi is the best... the fool just contradicted himself... when you can shine with average players bruh... if you play then with fantastic ones... you'll be a beast.... so simeone is trying to say Ronaldo is the best but can't admit it.. so his words clearly contradicted him... 😂 cr7 kudos
roy_sirm
125
😂 😂 😂 I'm yet to understand why people say Messi has a better team than Ronaldo, I'm absolutely lost, xavi, Iniesta etc were not Barcelona top players until maybe during pep, I mean when deco guily, millito , edmilson, van bommel, van bronkost and Ronaldinho, mata, Marquez etc where there, these guys weren't top players, it's during the Messi era they came to limelight but Ronaldo right from Manchester United days played with far established players, like Ryan giggs, scholes, Rooney etc then when he went to real Madrid he played with already established players like the ex world best kaka last season almost everyone in real Madrid was better than almost everyone in Barcelona except Messi Marcelo better than Alba Ramos better than pique varane better than Umtiti carvahal better than sergi Roberto kroos better than Gomez modric better than rakitic isco better than dembele now the exceptions are Sergio B, Suarez and Messi because coutinho is new but let's go to bench where they have Asensio, Bale, nacho, Lucas Vasquez, Vallejo, coentrao, cabellos, mayoral etc who does Barcelona have in bench? I didn't mention casemiro, Ronaldo, benzema etc Messi has never had a better team than Ronaldo, never happened, it's just the press that's deceiving people
kekerot20
94
you know tiger is more skilled than a lion but lion is the king of jungle because of its Pride because of its attitude same is the case (for me) Lionel is more skilled he is better player than Cristiano..but without a doubt Cristiano is king 😊
Mowacdmnpy
89
hi guys, Messi is better than C R., Ronaldo is a fixed standing winger player, waiting for an opportunity to strike, but messi is playing all the wings in football field, scoring, assisting ,at the end of the season he we won the highest goal scorer even more than strikers like Benzama and cr7. many ex legend footballers respect messi a lot, the only play who won 5th wrld best player so far be4 cr7 came up, Messi is not human, is a spirit human being, very very humble guy, who always associate with any Barça players,
HASSAN_CityForLife
77
One difference is that Messi is naturally talented, however Cristiano Ronaldo has made himself a football legend. He trains like mad and is committed 100%. Messi does not try as hard as Ronaldo, and there is no doubt that Ronaldo is the better player. Just look at the World Cup 2018’s results 😂!
lingesh
72
the right reality
mickey00
46
so that doesn't mean he is not humble. Do you mean a person must let know to the whole world what he does for charity then consider humble?
in this earthly life we all have will soon pass one day, with that in mind , the universe has it that "to whom much is given, much is expected" and every good deed will surely be rewarded. have you ever why Ronaldo won the euros with portugal even when he just played 15 mins in the final and got injured, and luck has eluded messi in winning a major international trophy!? because the universe is not fully satisfied with messi humanitarian deeds. he is not even in the top 20 of most charitable athletes and yet he is the highest paid athlete. that is not humility in my opinion
mickey00
20
you wouldn't hide it, the receivers make it known to the media by a thank you message. actions speak louder than words .