Argentine captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo are both considered two of the greatest players to have graced the sport, forming a long-standing rivalry. However, one of Ronaldo’s former teammates believes that Messi is the best soccer star of all time.
So, who is the mystery man, and why did he pick the Argentine over the Portuguese?
Lionel Messi Labelled As ‘Best’ Over Cristiano Ronaldo
During his 16-year-long spell at his boyhood club Real Madrid, Raul played alongside a host of superstars. Apart from Ronaldo, he shared the pitch with acclaimed players like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Iker Casillas, and Clarence Seedorf.
During a recent chat with EDYYN, Real Madrid legend Raul suggested that Messi is unparalleled as a soccer player, lauding the Inter Miami star’s technical ability on the ball.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with players like Zidane, Cristiano, Ronaldo, Figo… but I think Messi is the best, he’s very different. He makes everything look easy. Things you see as impossible, he makes them look easy, as if he were playing with his friends in the street,” Raul said (via GOAL).
Despite leaving Spain to join German side Schalke 04 in 2010, Raul locked horns with Messi eight times as a Real Madrid star. He won two of the eight matches against the Argentine.
Bayern Munich Great Settles Ronaldo-Messi Debate
Bayern Munich legend and Vancouver Whitecaps star Thomas Muller has claimed that Messi is better than Ronaldo, as the Inter Miami ace is comparatively more mesmerizing to watch.
When asked to pick between Messi and Ronaldo, Muller responded (via X/@ESPN FC), “The good old question. Both of them, both are performing. They are still producing numbers. But, for me, more impressive is Messi because his style of playing the game is a little bit more magical, more pure talent.”
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“The work ethic from Ronaldo is outstanding and maybe even better than Messi’s but to watch Messi playing our game is just… yeah it’s, it’s not unbelievable because I know what he is able to do week in and week out. So, for me, it’s not unbelievable, but it’s very impressive,” the German great concluded.
Since departing Europe, both the Barcelona legend and the Real Madrid great have relished brilliant spells for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr, respectively. The former has won three trophies at the American outfit, while the latter has won one trophy at the Saudi Arabian side.
