Gerard Pique snubs Cristiano Ronaldo for Lionel Messi as he builds dream 7-a-side team
Gerard Pique recently picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in his dream seven-a-side team.
The former Barcelona defender went with Iker Casillas as the goalkeeper, himself, Rio Ferdinand and Carles Puyol as the defenders, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas as the midfielders and Lionel Messi as the sole striker.
"I have to choose one striker and between Leo and Cristiano, I choose Leo," Pique told Sky Sports.
This has not been the first time that Pique has picked Messi over Ronaldo over the past few days. He recently said that the Argentine superstar is the GOAT in football, especially after winnig the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
He also said that Lionel Messi, who is currently playing for Inter Miami of the MLS, has had a more successful career than Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr.
Gerard Pique was teammates with Ronaldo for three years in Manchester United (2004-2006, 2007-2008), while he spent 13 years with Messi in Barcelona (2008-2021).
Gerard Pique explains why he picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo
Gerard Pique recently opened up about the differences between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and why he believes the former Barcelona star is the better player between the two.
Pique called Ronaldo "a very, very good player," but admitted that Messi was "totally different from the rest."
"Leo Messi was another thing. Totally different from the rest. In training sometimes I was suffering. He was totally different from the rest I have seen. I had the opportunity to share a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United. He was also very, very good. Top level," the former Barcelona and Manchester United defender told the Sun.
He added:
"He demonstrated in his whole career that he competed with Leo, related to the Ballon d'Or and all the trophies he won. But, I think that Leo was something different."
Messi and Ronaldo dominated European football during their prime years. Apart from unprecedented success at club level, they have won 13 Ballons d'Or between them, with Messi winning the coveted award eight times and Ronaldo five.
The Argentine superstar won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, while Ronaldo helped Portugal clinch the UEFA European Championship in 2016.