"Much more complete"; "Does things that nobody does" - When Sergio Busquets picked favorite between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Barcelona's legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets had a straightforward answer to the age-old debate of who the better player is between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he heaped praise on both players' abilities.
Five years ago, the Spaniard was asked who he thought was the better player between the two legends of the game. Cristiano Ronaldo had moved to Juventus at the start of the 2018-19 season while Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were both with Barcelona.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Busquets gave a detailed answer to his preference between the two players. He picked his teammate as the more complete player, claiming that nobody else in the world can do what the Argentinian does.
"For me, Leo is the best, he is much more complete [than Cristiano Ronaldo], participates more in the game, does things that nobody does," Spain's World Cup winning midfielder had said back in the day.
He, however, admitted that he has great respect for the Portuguese. He said that in terms of goalscoring, ambition, and sheer desire to win, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best.
"But Cristiano is a great player and we can see what he is capable of in goalscoring aspect of the game. Maybe he does not have as much quality or as much at stake, but at the level of ambition, goalscoring, winning, Cristiano is one of the best," Busquets admitted.
Both the legends of the game have now moved out of Europe. Lionel Messi currently plays in the USA with Inter Miami alongside Busquets while Cristiano Ronaldo captains Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Busquets on Lionel Messi's lack of Champions League trophies as compared to Cristiano Ronaldo
One stage where Cristiano Ronaldo has had the upper hand over Lionel Messi was the UEFA Champions League.
While the Argentine has had his share of success, the Portuguese has an enviable record in the tournament in terms of both trophies and goalscoring. He has won it five times while Messi has won four times. Cristiano Ronaldo is also the Champions League's all-time top scorer with 140 goals while Lionel Messi is second with 129.
Barcelona were at their devastating best for over a decade since 2008. They had the midfield triumvirate of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Busquets alongside a fearsome attack spearheaded by Lionel Messi. Despite the riches at their disposal, the Blaugrana won the Champions League thrice - in 2008-09, 2010-11, and 2014-15. On the other hand, they won the league eight times in 11 seasons.
In the interview with Mundo Deportivo in 2019, Sergio Busquets spoke about how the team should have won more Champions League titles. He admitted that winning the elite competition requires more than just the best players.
"What you get is what you have deserved. We had the best player, but we could not win more Champions Leagues. Having the best player or players does not ensure you win the Champions League," Busquets said.
While Real Madrid's domestic success was found wanting during Barcelona's peak, they dominated European competitions. In the last 10 seasons, they have won the Champions League six times, four of which came between 2014 and 2018.