Ronaldo vs Messi: 6 Football Legends Have Their Say Including Ferguson, Pele and Maradona

• Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are already in the twilight of their footballing careers
• Football experts, pundits and fans have continued the debate as regards who the better player is
• Here we look at football legends and what they said about the multiple Ballon d’Or winning superstars

As Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reach the twilight of their professional footballing careers, we take a look at what legends of the game said about the superstars.

The pair have dominated the football space for about two decades, splitting a staggering twelve Ballon d’Or titles between themselves, and Messi is poised for an eighth one this year.

Legends of the game who have seen these players showcase their incredible skills have divergent opinions about both players.

Both players have won about everything, and captaining Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup has not totally changed the perception that the former Barcelona player is better.

Revealed! 15 times Cristiano Ronaldo surprised the football world

Football

We look at what six football legends said about Messi and Ronaldo.

1. Pele – Ronaldo

In 2020, Pele stated that Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player at the time, although Messi won the Ballon d’Or the previous year.

Recall that the prestigious award was cancelled that year due to the lockdown, following the spread of COVID-19. And the following year, the Argentine scooped the award again. It didn’t change Pele’s perception:

The Brazilian legend said via GiveMeSport:

“Today, the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo. I think he's the best, because he's more consistent, but you can't forget about [Lionel] Messi, of course, but he's not a striker.”

2. Diego Maradona – Messi

Late legend, Diego Maradona, who passed away in November 2020, was a fan of Ronaldo and Messi, but he had a special reservation for his compatriot.

In 2017, Maradona told reporters that although he prefers Messi, he branded CR7 as an ‘animal’.

Who Zinedine Zidane picked between Messi and Ronaldo in GOAT debate

Football

He said:

“I can't remember having seen Lionel Messi play badly. I prefer Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo but I acknowledge that the latter is an animal. Football history will remember Messi.

“Football has given him a lot, as much as he has given the sport, and to win a World Cup, in my opinion, wouldn't bring himself anything else.”

3. David Beckham - Messi

Ronaldo was handed David Beckham’s iconic No.7 shirt when he first arrived at Manchester United back in 2003, but ten years down the line, the former England captain believes Messi had an edge over the Portuguese.

In 2013, the former England captain said:

“They have similarities in their technical skills and talent, and it is amazing for football to have them both present, but Messi is simply the best player in the world.

“He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player; it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.”

Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry and Neymar among the 10 greatest players never to win coveted Ballon d'Or

Football

4. Sir Alex Ferguson – Ronaldo

Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson has continued to play the father figure role for Ronaldo throughout his footballing career.

Ferguson chose the former Real Madrid striker over the Argentine, saying CR7 could perform for any team in the world. He said:

“Now don't get me wrong, Messi is a fantastic player, it's like he's wearing slippers when he controls the ball. But here, for me, is the difference. Messi is a Barcelona player.

“Ronaldo could play for Stockport County and score a hat-trick. He just wanted to be the best in the world.”

5. Zinedine Zidane – Ronaldo

Ronaldo was instrumental for Real Madrid during Zinedine Zidane’s time as manager as they went on to win multiple titles. The Frenchman minced no words when he said Ronaldo was the best. He said:

“Cristiano is the best. Messi is his rival and it's the rivalry everyone wants to see.

Lionel Messi’s goals in MLS are inadvertently proving CR7 right about MLS

Football

“But Ronaldo is phenomenal. There are no words to describe him. He is much better than me even though I had a great career. He's the greatest of all time.”

6. Fabio Capello - Messi

Fabio Capello was one of the first coaches outside of Barcelona who believed Mess was destined for greatness. Messi was part of the Argentina squad that thrashed Juventus in a friendly match back in 2005.

In 2019, while comparing the Argentine with Ronaldo, Capello branded Messi as a ‘genius’. He said:

“Ronaldo's an extraordinary footballer, but Messi is a genius. There are three geniuses in football: Pele, Maradona and Messi. Period. Ronaldo is very strong as he helps you win everything, but Messi is a genius and the better player.”

Comparing Mbape's stats with Messi, Ronaldo

Sports Brief earlier reported that Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best player in the world and in the last few years, he has been doing great things on the pitch for Paris Saint-Germain and France.

Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? AI Gives Its Take On The GOAT Debate

Football

At 24, the forward has achieved so much that even if he retired today, his legacy as one of the best would still be solidified.

Mbappe has won almost everything in his career, with the UEFA Champions League the only thing missing on his resume. Given his age, he could have many more accolades by the time he calls time on his career.