“I love him for many different reasons” - When David Beckham made his choice between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in ‘GOAT’ debate
Former footballer David Beckham once named Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo when asked which player he admires the most in football. Beckham is also the co-owner of Messi's current club, Inter Miami.
Despite his close association with Messi at present, Beckham famously passed on his iconic number 7 shirt to Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003, before moving to Real Madrid. The Portuguese talisman joined the Red Devils in the same year, going on to become one of their greatest legends, much like Beckham.
In a 2023 interview with ESPN Argentina, David Beckham was asked to name the footballer he admires watching the most. The Englishman did not hesitate to name Ronaldo's arch-rival Lionel Messi as his choice, saying (via GOAL):
“It has to be Messi. I love Leo for many different reasons. I love him because he’s a great father. I love him because he’s a great personality, a character. He’s a great person."
The Inter Miami co-owner added:
"But I think what everybody loves about him is the way he plays the game. He plays the game with passion. He plays the game just free the way he plays. And I think this past World Cup again. I think the way he played for his team, for his country and to win that World Cup was an incredible moment for him. And I love watching players like him.”
Lionel Messi famously led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup glory in Qatar, alongside delivering one of the greatest individual World Cup campaigns of all time. The Argentine won his second Golden Ball in the tournament after the 2014 World Cup, awarded to the best player in the competition.
Months after winning the World Cup, Messi left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a free agent to join Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami. Since joining, La Pulga has created history for the club, leading them to their first two silverwares in history including the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporter's Shield.
"I'm not sure Messi could do it" - When Sir Alex Ferguson shared his stance on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson shared his take on the age-old question of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo in a 2015 interview with snooker champion John Parrott. Ferguson is widely considered to have been instrumental in Cristiano Ronaldo's rise in his early years at the Old Trafford from 2003 to 2009, before his transfer to Real Madrid.
When asked to choose between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Ferguson said (via Manchester Evening News):
"People say who is the best player in the world? And plenty of people quite rightly say Messi - you can't dispute that opinion. But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers, anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game. I'm not sure Messi could do it."
Ferguson added:
"Ronaldo's got two feet, he's quick, great in the air, he's brave - Messi's brave, of course. I think Messi's a Barcelona player."
Lionel Messi spent most of his senior career playing for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021. In August 2021, the Argentine left the club to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), before joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.