The latest Ballon d’Or winner is in no doubt about who he believes is the greatest footballer of all time
The debate over who is football’s greatest ever player will run and run for decades to come, but the greatest player in the world right now, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, is clear on who he believes is the true GOAT of the game.
…[Messi and Ronaldo] have long been compared, although Messi’s instrumental role in Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup cemented his place in many minds as the outstanding modern player, leading to his eighth Ballon d’Or award compared to Ronaldo’s tally of five.
But Rodri has gone further, suggesting Messi is not only the best 21st century player but also the best of all time, outstripping Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and the other greats of the past.
Rodri didn’t hold back as he explained difference between facing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in controversial new interview
On the subject of Messi and Ronaldo, Rodri was asked for his take on the much-discussed GOAT debate – and it’s fair to say his answer brought plenty of discussion amongst fans online.
“Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, without any doubt,” he said.
“Cristiano has managed to match Messi without innate talent. But those of us who have played against them can see the difference. We didn’t want Cristiano to step into the box because he was lethal there. But with Messi, the danger was everywhere on the pitch.”
He added: “When Messi got the ball, you’d think: ‘Oh, danger’. When I first started playing against him, I tried to take the ball from him, and he dodged you as if you were a bull in the ring. The feeling I had was that something bad was about to happen.”
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to Rodri’s comments.
One said: “That narrative Ronaldo has no natural talent must be stopped. How can he have no talent and be a footballer?. You must be talented in order to be one. Messi is more talented than Ronaldo agreed but to say he had no natural talent is bs.”
A second wrote: “This ‘Ronaldo had no natural talent’ narrative is just stupid,” and another commented: “Rodri has elite ball knowledge.”
A fourth said: “Rodri’s been speaking too much since his Ballon d’Or,” while a fifth added: “He’s basically saying with Ronaldo, you only worry in the box. With Messi, you start worrying the second he steps off the team bus. Either way, the stress is real.”
