“He doesn’t need to do anything extra to be the best” - Ex-Real Madrid hero shares why Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo
Benfica star Angel Di Maria has explained why Lionel Messi is better than his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Di Maria said his countryman was naturally gifted while the Portuguese superstar worked hard to get to his level.
Speaking to Argentine journalist Juan Pablo Varsky on the show Clank, Di Maria stated he felt like playing with friends when he was on the pitch with Messi. He also commended Ronaldo for pushing for perfection and training hard to match the levels set by the Argentine legend. He said (via BolaVIP):
“I’ve always said the same thing—they are the two best in history. But it’s obvious that the best, by far, is Leo. It’s not just because of the eight Ballon d’Or awards he’s won, but because of everything else. Cristiano is about work—work and work. But Messi, he’s pure talent, a gift from God. He doesn’t need to do anything extra to be the best.
“Cristiano had to train hard, spend hours in the gym, perfect his finishing, and always push himself. But Leo, it’s like he’s just playing with friends. That’s why the difference between them is so big—Leo is unmatched.”
Angel Di Maria played 166 matches with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, combining for 28 goals. They won the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga title once together.
Cristiano Ronaldo's former teammate Di Maria on Lionel Messi
Angel Di Maria recalled his first meeting with Lionel Messi. He mentioned that the 16 years they spent together with the national team were special and said (via BolaVIP):
“I was sharing a room with Pocho [Ezequiel Lavezzi]. We had music, mate, and everything happening after games. We even had a drum set someone bought—it was a full month locked away, and that gave us the chance to connect and build a friendship."
“It was such a unique feeling for me. It was incredible to share the Olympics with him, to talk with him, to just be around him. It was very special. I never imagined we’d spend 16 years together on the national team, but I enjoyed those Olympics to the fullest because you never know if you’ll get that kind of moment again,” he added.
While Di Maria played 166 times with Cristiano Ronaldo, he has played 141 times with Lionel Messi. They were also together for a season at Paris Saint-Germain and shared the dressing room more often for the national team.