Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo miss out on Ronaldinho list of football's two 'all-time greats'
The debate of the greatest ever footballer will never end as there will always be somebody who would have a divided opinion about the issue. The latest celebrity to add his opinion to the matter is Brazilian legend, Ronaldinho. The former Barcelona superstar believes that neither the Argentine living legend, Lionel Messi, nor the best Portuguese player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, come close to being the greatest ever.
Speaking to AS, the former Paris Saint-Germain man believes that Diego Armando Maradona and countryman, Pele, are the two best players of all time.
‘In the history of football I only look at Maradona and Pele,’ the World Cup winning Brazilian told AS.
‘Both are world football greats.’
Given how Lionel Messi has evolved over the years, it feels like a bit of a surprise to not read Ronaldinho name his former team-mate among the greatest ever. However, when asked about who could win the Ballon d’Or for this year’s performances, the former Milan man opined that it would be a really tough choice, before naming his Barcelona protégé as the favourite.
‘All the players have done a brilliant job, it is tough to choose,’ he said. ‘Ok, I will be honest with you, I am backing Messi!’
Further speaking about the current Argentina captain, the nightlife-loving Brazilian said that he was incredibly delighted to see his friend happy. He is also pleased to see the Barcelona number 10 trace back from his decision to retire from the national team and decide to play for La Albicileste again.
‘I am delighted to see him happy, if he made the decision to come back to Argentina and he is happy so am I, because I am his friend.’
Not only Ronaldinho, but almost every Argentina fan could breathe a sigh of relief now with their champion back in the foray. Without the former Newell’s youth player, Argentina have a terrible record as they have won only one game in seven without the current Ballon d’Or holder.
Argentine won all their three games of the qualifier in which Lionel Messi has played. Without him, however, it is a pitiful story. With the recent 1-0 loss to Paraguay at home, Argentina sit on the 5th spot of the qualifying campaign.
And it seems as though only the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could save them from the blushes of embarrassment.
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