"It's a dream for me" – Steven Gerrard makes massive Lionel Messi transfer admission that will reignite Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry
Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard has claimed that he would be delighted to work with Lionel Messi at his current club before hailing both the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi, who is currently representing Argentina at the ongoing Copa America 2024, joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami on a free transfer last July. He has helped them lift the 2023 Leagues Cup, registering 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 matches so far.
During a chat with Egyptian television channel MBC Masr 2, Gerrard was asked to opine on the possibility of Messi joining Al-Ettifaq. The Liverpool legend replied (h/t GOAL):
"It's a dream for me to have him at Al-Ettifaq. He is an incredible player and would be a great asset for the club. I know it's difficult for him to move to Saudi Arabia, but there's nothing wrong with dreaming."
Offering his thoughts on the long-running GOAT debate, Gerrard said:
"Both Cristiano and Messi are incredible players with incredible stories in football. Ronaldo is a great individual goal-scorer, while [the latter] is a more complete team player. I can't really choose between them, they are both legends."
Tomasz Kuszczak lauds Cristiano Ronaldo, opines on GOAT debate with Lionel Messi
During an interview with OLBG, ex-Manchester United star Tomasz Kuszczak was queried to share his two cents on Portugal captain and Al-Nassr attacker Cristiano Ronaldo. He said (h/t DAZN):
"I do think that Cristiano has been disrespected, there is all this talk regarding who is better between him and Lionel Messi. I had the chance to train with him and play with him for a couple of years, he has proved everything in football wherever he has been."
Kuszczak, who played 28 times with Ronaldo at United, concluded:
"He has always been effective and shown he can be a leader, he deserves 100% respect but it is difficult to say what he is like now because the Saudi Pro League is not a top league. But Cristiano is Cristiano. He can keep going another couple of years."
Ronaldo, 39, failed to help Portugal ease past France at the UEFA Euro 2024 last-eight stage. He finished his continental campaign in national colors with zero goals in 486 minutes of action, across five matches.
The five-time Ballon d'Or award winner has scored 58 goals and laid out 15 assists in 64 games across all competitions for Al-Nassr so far.