A 2010 FIFA World Cup star has decided to give his verdict on arguably the most contentious football debate of all time – Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
Kevin-Prince Boateng, who made a shock move to Barcelona from Sassuolo in 2019, has now had his say on who he thinks is the better player after training and playing with Messi during his brief loan spell with the Catalan giants.
In an interview with Diario AS, the Ghanaian discussed his position on the matter, giving the UEFA Champions League's all-time top goalscorer a deep reverence and saying he is an ideal role model for young footballers to emulate.
According to him, however, Messi is better.
"For a young player, Ronaldo must be the best," Boateng told AS.
"He is the best example because he works hard. Even Quaresma or Nani had more talent when they were young than Ronaldo, but he works like nobody else because he wants to be the best.
Steven Gerrard: "If I was forced to pick one, I would probably go for Messi, but that's only because he's slightly more of a team player – he might just provide more assists or final passes, but it would be 51% to 49% in my mind."
Ronaldinho: "Cristiano Ronaldo has impacted the world forever, however Messi is above."
Rafinha: "For me, the best player in the world is Messi."
Pele: "I could mention some names but what has happened in the last 10 to 15 years, I think Messi is the player who was the most consistent all those years, no doubt. Cristiano Ronaldo is like the Ronaldo from Brazil, he is a good scorer no doubt, but to me as a player it is Messi."
Adil Rami: "Yes I met Ronaldo, Messi and Griezmann and sincerely, I respect all three," he said. "It's true that these are the best players in the world today for me, even if we can add many more. Messi is really much more 'team' than Ronaldo and I think that's why I put him on top."
David Beckham: "While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both better than the rest, Ronaldo does not reach the level of Messi."
Pep Guardiola: "Messi is the best, he is definitely the best. He knows how to play, score and make the other players play. He is always there. With all the respect to all the players, first to Cristiano Ronaldo – congratulations to him for the award (Ballon d'Or 2016) – I think Messi is on another level."
Javier Saviola: "I love how Messi plays football. If I had to choose a favourite player, I would definitely choose him. It is about taste, I like Messi better, but there is no doubt that Cristiano is a great player."
Jose Mourinho: "For me the top three players in history are Messi, Pele and Maradona."
Ronaldo de Lima: "It's tough, but I pick Messi. He is out of this world. Ronaldo too, but I see Leo as more complete."
"With Messi, it is different, he is already sensational. He does things that no one else can do. I see him as if he were out of this world. In this world Ronaldo rules, but Messi is above him."
Although having been what seems to be a shadow of himself since his move to Paris Saint-Germain, Messi ended 2021 by winning his seventh Ballon d'Or trophy, putting him two ahead of his Portuguese rival for the famous prize.
Ronaldo, now of Manchester United, is having a solid individual campaign to date, having scored 14 goals in 23 games across all competitions for the Red Devils this season.
It has not, though, been enough to propel United into Premier League title contention as they remain 19 points behind league leaders and crosstown rivals Manchester City.
Related tags
