Gerard Pique and Angel Di Maria see eye to eye regarding who out of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is greater – both siding with the Argentinian.
The great debate that has enamoured fans, pundits, managers and professional players alike is whether the technically brilliant Messi or bullishly impervious Ronaldo is football’s brightest ever light. Many sides fight their battles for either party off of the pitch, whereas, for this pair of world-beating stars, they’ve experienced just how incredible both are directly.
Di Maria starred up front with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, having also been guided to World Cup glory by Messi. Pique, who was part of the same Manchester United squad as the Portuguese star, won a trio of Champions League titles with Messi.
However, while it may be expected that Pique, who played just 596 minutes with Ronaldo at Old Trafford, prefers his long-time peer Messi, Di Maria, who spent the best part of four years at the Bernabeu with the now 39-year-old, has surprisingly opted for his countryman instead.
"For me, Messi and Cristiano are the two best players in history,” Di Maria told admitted Clank Media. “But, it is obvious that Leo has no comparison to any other player."
Di Maria’s mind may have been fairly swayed by the 2022 World Cup, where Messi’s Argentina triumphed. The current Inter Miami man scored in every stage – becoming the first player ever to do so and subsequently being named the player of the tournament.
Although Di Maria won a Champions League and Spanish league title alongside Ronaldo, it seemed like an obvious decision for the winger, much like it was for retired defender Pique.
“Messi has always been different from the others,” Pique admitted to AS. “Cristiano is the best of humans, but Leo is an alien. He doesn’t belong on this planet.
“I saw him training every day doing incredible things. There will never be another player with his speed of thought and the same determination. He arrived at 13 and played the same way both in the youth team and with the first team.”
Messi and Pique partnered for three Champions League crowns and a staggering eight La Liga titles - a trio of which they were aided by now-Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
“We had incredible talents, but the most extraordinary thing was the combination with Pep,” Pique added. “We came together, me as a player and him as a coach. There was Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Busquets, all homegrown.
“We had always known each other, and everything was natural. On a tactical and strategic level, he is a genius, he knows how to read games, predict how they will end, he gives you the necessary tools to counterattack and defend. And when it comes to transmitting the motivational message, he is unbeatable. He has kept his concentration high for years.”