Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez provides response when asked to pick between 2 stars
Former Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez has picked between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The pair are widely believed to be the best players in the sport's history, with more than 800 goals to each player's name in their careers.
Ronaldo and Messi dominated football for nearly two decades, winning 13 Ballons d'Or awards between themselves. Choosing between the legendary duo is a challenging task.
Former Los Blancos midfielder James Rodriguez picked his former teammate in the Spanish capital when asked, telling TNT Sport when asked in a recent press conference:
“Cris.”
However, James went on to say:
“The truth is that they cannot be compared. People compare a lot, but they cannot be compared. The two with their talent, the two with their convictions, make them the best in the world and for many years. So instead of comparing them, you have to enjoy them. We must enjoy those animals that have made us watch soccer in a very different way. Soccer is Messi and I want to see it, but I hope Paraguay wins."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi played the best football for Real Madrid and Barcelona, scoring 450 and 672 goals, respectively. Ronaldo played alongside James 86 times and combined for 18 goals in the 5,558 minutes they shared on the pitch.
Former Real Madrid star Julio Baptista chooses between two stars
Former Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista compared Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in an interview in May. The Brazilian star signed for the Spanish giants from Sevilla in the summer of 2005 for a reported €20 million fee.
Baptista spent three years with Los Blancos, punctuated by a year-long loan at Arsenal, racking up 13 goals and six assists in 78 games for the Spanish outfit. He discussed the abilities of the two legendary players in an interview with Oddspedia, saying (via Forbes):
"Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are incredible players but I would rate Messi slightly higher. I think because they both played in the same league for Real Madrid and Barcelona it created an incredible rivalry."
"There was so much expectation of them and they have both delivered. Ronaldo is unbelievable but Messi is a genius, winning the Ballon d’Or eight times says it all. They are the best players of the last 20 years and probably in the history of football."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi now play for Al-Nassr and Inter Miami in the Saudi Pro-League and the MLS, respectively.