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Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: The ‘who is better’ debate finally ended by the players who starred alongside BOTH


CRISTIANO RONALDO or Lionel Messi?

For well over a decade, fans have bickered in pubs, parks and playgrounds about which superstar is better.

 Who is truly the greatest of all-time: Messi or Ronaldo?

Who is truly the greatest of all-time: Messi or Ronaldo?

 How Messi and Ronaldo stack up statistically

How Messi and Ronaldo stack up statistically

Now more than ever supporters seem to be arguing the case for their favourite on social media.

Both have enjoyed glittering careers, winning loads of trophies, scoring hundreds of goals and earning piles of personal accolades.

In truth there is no way us mere mortals can truly know whether Ronaldo or Messi is the best of all-time.

So we’ve gone to those who know them best to find out who is truly the greatest of all time.

Below are 12 stars who’ve played alongside both during their careers – and who THEY believe to be the best ever…

PAULO DYBALA

 Dybala is a current team-mate of Messi and Ronaldo - and couldn't separate the two

Dybala is a current team-mate of Messi and Ronaldo – and couldn’t separate the two

CURRENTLY a club team-mate of Ronaldo and international pal of Messi – Dybala refused to commit to either when asked which of the two was best.

The Juventus and Argentina ace diplomatically claimed: “It is impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best.

“They are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years.”

RESULT: Draw

DECO

 Deco couldn't split Ronaldo and Messi

Deco couldn’t split Ronaldo and Messi

THE midfield maestro played alongside Messi during the Argentine’s early days at the Nou Camp – while featuring alongside Ronaldo for Portugal.

But when asked to end the “who’s better” debate, Deco opted against naming EITHER – instead choosing former Barcelona pal Ronaldinho.

Deco revealed: “From the outset, it is clear that Leo and Cristiano are the greatest.

“Especially because no one thought they could take so many years to this level, but the one that impressed me most despite not being so decisive was Ronaldinho.

“For me, he will always be the best.

“We met in Barcelona and immediately connected with him, the moments I lived with him are difficult to compare to anything. It was magical.”

RESULT: Draw

ANGEL DI MARIA

 Di Maria considers it an honour to play alongside Messi

Di Maria considers it an honour to play alongside Messi

THE Paris Saint-Germain winger teamed up with Ronaldo at Real Madrid – where they won the 2014 Champions League – and has played many times with Messi for his country.

But on who was better, Di Maria claimed Messi was the one, saying: “It was a dream to have the possibility to play with [Wayne] Rooney, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Leo [Messi]…

“Leo is the best of the four.

“With all the great players I have played with, it’s hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be Leo.

“Messi is the best in the world – there is no question about that.

“When I am an old man I will tell my grandchildren bedtime stories about when I won the Champions League, hopefully when I won the World Cup…

“But most of all I will tell them their grandfather used to play with Lionel Messi.”

RESULT: Messi

GABRIEL HEINZE

 Heinze was the only star to play alongside both who opted for Ronaldo

Heinze was the only star to play alongside both who opted for Ronaldo

THE Argentine left-back played with Ronaldo at Manchester United and Messi for his country – but their paths would have crossed at Newell’s Old Boys too, when Messi was a lad.

Over the years, Heinze has had his say on both.

In 2008, he claimed: “If I had to pay for one player I would choose [Ronaldo].

“I don’t think Cristiano will get any better as a footballer, he is already next to God in his ability.”

But in 2016, he added: “Leo is inexplicable. Footballistically, he does not come from this planet. And as a person, he leads such a quiet life that is admirable.”

Despite his glowing praise, technically he did not overturn his decision to name Ronaldo in 2008…

RESULT: Ronaldo

GONZALO HIGUAIN

 Higuain currently plays alongside both Messi and Ronaldo

Higuain currently plays alongside both Messi and Ronaldo

CURRENTLY playing alongside Ronaldo at Juventus – after a spell together at Real Madrid – and Messi for Argentina, Higuain knows all about both.

And he revealed: “[Ronaldo and I] had already played together with Real. Many years have passed, and I have found another player, a more mature person, with a family.

“I enjoyed playing alongside him before and I am glad that we are back together.

“I’m a forward and I have the chance to play with Messi. It’s a privilege to play alongside him.

“Every time he gets the ball you need to be on your toes because you know that at any moment he can give you a great ball or pull your marker away from you.

“He does things that a striker can anticipate but a defender can’t.”

RESULT: Draw

FERNANDO GAGO

 Fernando Gago opted for Messi over Ronaldo having played with both

Fernando Gago opted for Messi over Ronaldo having played with both

ANOTHER former Real team-mate of Ronaldo who played alongside Messi for Argentina, Gago was in no doubts as to is the better player.

Gago claimed: “For me he [Ronaldo] is not No1. For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches.

“Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.

“We know that he has the ability to win a match in half a second and that gives you peace of mind.

“In every game I have the feeling that he can make us win at any time. Messi’s way of leading is with the ball, sometimes a glance is enough.

“He has an incredible personality, he understands the game perfectly, he has fought for 14 years to be the best without letting himself down, and that shows how he is.

“He is the best I have seen in my life, without a doubt.”

RESULT: Messi

EZEQUIEL GARAY

 Garay opted for his fellow Argentine Messi over Ronaldo

Garay opted for his fellow Argentine Messi over Ronaldo

YET another former Los Blancos team-mate of Ronaldo who starred on the international scene with Messi, Garay also ranks Leo as the No1.

Garay revealed: “When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo.

“From the first time I saw him with Argentina Under-15s to this day he continues to amaze me. He has no limit.”

RESULT: Messi

ANDRE GOMES

 Gomes spent time with Messi at Barcelona and still plays with Ronaldo for Portugal now

Gomes spent time with Messi at Barcelona and still plays with Ronaldo for Portugal now

THE Everton midfielder spent two years playing alongside Messi at Barcelona, and is captained by Ronaldo for the Portuguese national team.

And he claimed: “[Ronaldo] is a very important player, who is always present and ready to play.

“He is very serious about the responsibility of leading our country, we have great spirit, and he’s a great example for all of us.

“Everyone knows that Messi is very, very good. He does things in games that you cannot explain; he just knows different things and can do it.

“In training it is a show, because every day he can invent something new.

“You think you’re used to it, but there is always one day you go to the dressing room surprised by something he has done.”

RESULT: Draw

HENRIK LARSSON

 Larsson opted for Messi over Ronaldo thanks to their time at Barca

Larsson opted for Messi over Ronaldo thanks to their time at Barca

THE Swedish legend won the Champions League with Messi, early in the Barca star’s career, and played 13 times alongside Ronaldo during his loan spell at Old Trafford.

But Larsson knows who he’d choose, saying: “Cristiano is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Messi.

“Ronaldo is a very good player, but Messi is even better.

“He is out of this world. He’s so good that it’s almost incredible.

“When you see him with the ball at his feet it’s hard to believe that anybody else could do the same. He’s a fantastic player to see.”

RESULT: Messi

GERARD PIQUE

 Gerard Pique chose long-standing Barca pal Messi over Ronaldo

Gerard Pique chose long-standing Barca pal Messi over Ronaldo

THE Spaniard played with Ronaldo early in his own Man Utd career and is now a long-serving team-mate of Messi at the Nou Camp.

He has his favourite though, saying: “Cristiano is a perfect machine, a hard worker who always wants to improve.

“I always said that Messi has some talent that no one has.

“For me it’s like Messi is not human but [Ronaldo] is the best of the humans.”

RESULT: Messi

NELSON SEMEDO

 Semedo is a current team-mate of both Ronaldo and Messi

Semedo is a current team-mate of both Ronaldo and Messi

HAVING won back-to-back LaLiga crowns at Barcelona, along with the Uefa Nations League with Portugal, Semedo has enjoyed success with both Messi and Ronaldo.

And he claimed: “Real Madrid have noticed [Ronaldo’s] absence a lot.

“I cannot say that it was bad for [Barcelona] that Cristiano left. With him it would have been a more difficult league for us, more competitive.

“He is a player that requires a lot of attention and care.

“Messi is spectacular. It’s a privilege to play with him, he always surprises, he’s from another planet.”

While the quotes suggest he favours Messi, there is no concrete evidence to prove it, so this goes down as a draw.

RESULT: Draw

CARLOS TEVEZ

 Carlos Tevez has partnered both forwards up front during his career

Carlos Tevez has partnered both forwards up front during his career

A FORMER Man Utd team-mate of Ronaldo during some trophy-laden years and a long-serving Argentina colleague of Messi, Tevez knows both stars very well.

On the debate, he said: “Cristiano always stopped in the gym after training: for him it is an obsession and, being the best in everything.

“Messi plays another sport. For Messi to score three goals [in any given game] is normal.”

Much like Semedo, while it feels Tevez would sway towards Messi, he’s not come out and said it just yet…

RESULT: Draw

SO WHO IS THE WINNER?

 Lionel Messi takes the win over old frenemy Cristiano Ronaldo, according to those who've played with both

Lionel Messi takes the win over old frenemy Cristiano Ronaldo, according to those who’ve played with bothCredit: Reuters

WITH six draws from the 12 players, many were either unsure of who is truly better or unwilling to rock the boat.

But of the six who did commit to giving an answer, FIVE chose Messi, with just one player picking Ronaldo.

So that settles it then?

Maybe not. you can have your say with our exclusive poll. Or just sit back and enjoy watching them play (whenever football resumes).

(Can’t see the poll above? Tap/click here to open the article in a new tab.)

Barcelona stars Messi, Busquets and Vidal show their skill at the loo roll challenge


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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