“He is the player who made me like football” - When ex-Barcelona star snubbed Lionel Messi as he named Cristiano Ronaldo his ‘favorite ever’ player
Former Barcelona and Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo was in the news earlier this year when he snubbed Lionel Messi and named Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite player while making his dream 5-a-side team.
Cancelo called his fellow Portuguese the most inspirational player he has come across. He lauded him for all the goals that he has scored and for motivating youngsters in the country over several years.
“He (Cristiano Ronaldo) is, as you already know, I have said it several times before, he is my favorite player ever – the player who made me like football. Cristiano for being a legend of my country, for all the goals he has scored and for continuing to inspire the youngsters,” Cancelo had told FIFPRO.
Cancelo's dream 5-a-side side consists of Ronaldo, former Barcelona and AC Milan legend Ronaldinho, fellow Manchester City stars Ederson, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.
It is unsurprising that the team is made up of three Portuguese and two Brazilian players, and the common factor is that all of them speak Cancelo's native tongue. However, he missed out on naming Messi in the side.
The right-back started his career at Benfica before moving on to some of the best clubs in the world, including Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
Currently, Cancelo plies his trade for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, where he moved from Manchester City in the summer earlier this year. The 30-year-old allegedly fell out of favor with Pep Guardiola and was sent on loan to Bayern Munich and Barcelona over the last couple of seasons.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Ballon d'Or numerous times
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have long driven the debate as to who is the better player, do not ply their trades in Europe anymore. While Messi plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, Ronaldo is with Saudi club Al Nassr at the moment.
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or on eight occasions while Ronaldo has won the same accolade five times. The two continue to dominate coffee table discussions across the world as to who was the best in his prime.
The Argentine has a World Cup and two Copa America titles under his belt, while Ronaldo's capping moment in international football was winning the UEFA European Championships with Portugal in 2016.