‘Lionel Messi and Ronaldo had been my team-mates – one is greatest attributable to easy stat’
Angel Di Maria has had the privilege of playing alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – and he believes the Argentinian is the superior player.
Di Maria played with Messi at PSG as well for the Argentinian national team where they lifted the World Cup together in 2022. The winger spent time on the pitch with Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid where he won the Champions League with the Portuguese star in 2014.
The one-time Manchester United ace has recently retired from international football and has been speaking on his illustrious career. Igniting a debate that’s been ongoing for many years, the Argentinian simply believes Messi is better than Ronaldo as he has won more Ballon d’Or awards.
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Di Maria said: “At the end of the day, the best player is the one with the most Ballon d’Or awards, and Leo has eight. So for me, there’s a certain gap between him and Cristiano.”
While the former Barcelona icon has picked up an astonishing eight Ballons d’Or, his long-time rival Ronaldo has won five.
What do you think about Angel Di Maria’s take on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate? Let us know in the comments section
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The pair now ply their trade in North America and Saudi Arabia, with Messi playing for Inter Miami and Ronaldo turning out for Al-Nassr, and Di Maria is of the opinion that the duo have helped the game grow, wherever they have played their football, over the last few years.
Talking to France Football earlier this summer, he added: “They continue to make people talk about them all over the world, while they are now in the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“The competition between them allowed La Liga to grow and they made everyone love football, even those who were less interested in it. With Leo, Americans are starting to rediscover football.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The long-running argument over who is better between Messi and Ronaldo is perhaps one of life’s biggest conundrums. Despite everyone having a preference, there doesn’t seem to be a right answer.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard once regarded Messi as the best there ever was, as he previously implied to Gary Neville on the Overlap.
However, since taking up a job in Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo also plays, he has changed his mind saying to the Saudi Pro League upon Ronaldo joining the league: “The arrival of ‘The GOAT’ as we call him, Cristiano, obviously was a huge signing.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
However, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has never been in any doubt, and has branded Messi the greatest player of all time. “He’s just phenomenal.” Lineker previously told talkSPORT.
Another icon worthy of a say is Ronaldinho. The Brazilian was whipping up a storm at Barcelona when a teenage Messi came through the ranks but he is in no doubt where he stands on the debate, telling Goal he favours Messi, adding: “I would have loved to continue playing alongside him.
“I didn’t get enough time with him, he was very young. I’d love to take to the pitch with him one more time.”
