The eternal debate as to who the better player is between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has seen many sparkling and controversial opinions. Not just fans and pundits, but legends of the game have chipped in with their say as well.
A video of Zlatan Ibrahimovic giving his pick back in 2016 recently resurfaced in the media. The Swede had said (as reported via GiveMeSport in 2021):
“I think Messi is one of a kind. What he’s doing, I don’t know if we will see another player do the things that he does. It is different [with Ronaldo] because he is the result of hard training. It is not natural.”
Zlatan picked his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi over Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo. In typical Zlatan fashion, he did not mince his words and provided his rationale behind the pick.
Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi - the battle of the GOATs
Football has perhaps witnessed its greatest individual rivalry ever over the course of the last decade and a little more. Ronaldo and Messi changed the scenery in the game with their relentless desire to outdo each other.
They have seven (Messi) and five (Ronaldo) Ballon d'Ors each, showcasing the standard of the battle ensued between the two. Both players have won multiple league titles and Champions League trophies amongst other domestic cups.
In terms of personal scoring stats, while Ronaldo rules the Champions League, Messi dominated La Liga. It does not mean they were poor in other competitions - simply that they were the best in the aforementioned ones.
The debate stretches to international teams
While at club level, both players have won every major honor on offer, their careers with the national teams can still be improved.
Cristiano Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal and the Nations League in 2020. Messi caught up with his nemesis last summer by capturing the 2021 Copa America and winning the Finalissima against Italy earlier this year.
However, it is the FIFA World Cup that has eluded both players. Lionel Messi came close to winning it in 2014, only to lose it to Germany in the final. Both players will perhaps feel that the 2022 edition in Qatar is their last chance to win the coveted trophy, and may even settle the GOAT debate forever.
SserunjojiJohnjovan
518
All football history follows him.
JoyNg
390
All football users ⚽💜 CR7 hugging a player greater than him be like👇😂😂 The only GOAT💪🐐💜
Ronysohan
226
If Argentina and Portugal will qualify for World cup 2022 Final, it will be milestone to All football lover to watch this.....They r both Goat ❤
Madeee
52
Beloved goat... The greatest, the humble man, the loyal one...... No one even close to him.... He's the greatest of all the time without a doubt..* Goat* but this does'nt mean i have disrespect ronaldo... No.... Hes great too.... But mess7 is the greatest of all time...... I repeat it no one even close to him...
Podabilry
45
Messi magic 🔮 and smartness has made Cristiano's hard work a child's play. Cristiano is only hardworking in the gym but not really on the pitch because he only roam the box 18 waiting for passes to tap in.
epjo
30
CR7 is the GOAT is going to win the WORLD CUP with PORTUGAL THIS TERM
Lewbdkmnop
22
Messi is the greatest to have ever played the game. he is the only player in history that can be considered as a great goal scorer, a great dribler, a great passer, a great play maker and the greatest goal creator in history. he is the only player to perfect all art together, never did football expected to see anything like that. all great players like maradona, pele, christiano ronaldo, romario, zedane, ronaldo, ronaldhino, etc only perfected one aspect of the game but he combined them all. that is why his debate with cr7 has only being limited to goals and that shows the greatness of messi, for playmaker to have a better goal to game ratio than cr7, (arguably the greatest goal scorer in history) is insane. players like messi only comes once in a million years
bute88
9
@autty He also said this