ANTONIO CASSANO insists Lionel Messi’s longevity has secured his status as the greatest footballer ever.
The retired forward hailed Messi’s compatriot Diego Maradonna and former team-mate Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi has had an incredible career since bursting onto the scene as a teenagerCredit: AFP or licensors
Antonio Cassano has had his say on the greatest of all time debateCredit: EPA
But he claimed the 32-year-old Barcelona star’s incredible 15 years at the pinnacle of the game sets him apart from his peers.
Cassano, 37, told Corriere dello Sport: “Maradona did something never seen before for four or five years, but Messi has done the same things for 15 years,
“He has scored 710 goals and 300 assists. When he plays you start with a 1-0 lead.
“The ‘Maradonians’ have to accept it – there is someone who has ousted him.”
Cassano faced Messi while he was on the other side of El Clasico with Real Madrid between 2006 and 2008.
And he played alongside Brazilian great Ronaldo with Los Blancos, where he was stunned by the legendary striker’s incredible confidence and ability.
He added: “We were losing 1-0 at home. The whole stadium was whistling, especially at him [Ronaldo].
“In the locker room the coach removes Ronnie to put Van Nistelrooy on, but he stops him and says ‘no, you take me off in 15 minutes if I haven’t scored two goals.’
“Minute 15: 2-1 and two goals from Ronaldo. I said that if there is a football God, it is Ronaldo. Then I discovered that Messi is above him.”
Ronaldo was a phenomenal striker but his career was cut short by injuriesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Diego Maradonna is widely considered one of the game’s greatest playersCredit: Allsport
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
