"That’s what I learned" - When PSG star Achraf Hakimi made interesting comments on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate
Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi once claimed that there are 'no differences' between superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Moroccan placed the long-term rivals on the same pedestal, calling both of them 'champions'.
A graduate of Spanish giants Real Madrid's youth academy, Hakimi made the jump to the senior team in the summer of 2017. Although he was tipped as the successor to Dani Carvajal, he spent just one season at the club before going out on a two-year loan to Borussia Dortmund.
In his lone senior campaign at Real, he made eight appearances alongside Ronaldo. Upon returning from Dortmund, he was sold to Inter Milan (2020) and subsequently to PSG (2021), in the same summer that Messi joined on a free transfer from Barcelona.
Hakimi went on to share the pitch with the Argentine maestro on 59 occasions across two seasons before the latter's move to Inter Miami. When asked who he thought was better, the 25-year-old said (via GiveMeSport):
"There are no differences between them. They are champions, always hungry for titles. They give strength in big competitions. That's what I learned from working with them."
Despite being 37 and 39 years old respectively, Messi and Ronaldo continue to dominate their respective leagues. With 20 goals and 10 assists in just 19 games, the Argentine legend has helped Inter Miami break the all-time Major League Soccer (MLS) points record (74) in the 2024 season.
The Portuguese icon has also been quick off the blocks in the 2024-25 season, with nine goals and three assists in 11 games across all competitions for Al-Nassr.
Many other players who have played alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been unable to choose between the legendary pair
Besides Achraf Hakimi, a host of other players who have shared the pitch with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been unable to choose between the iconic pair.
Argentine attacker Paulo Dybala, who played alongside the 37-year-old for La Albiceleste and the 39-year-old at Juventus, said (via GiveMeSport h/t Telefoot):
"It's impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best because they are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years."
Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who played with Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Juve, claimed (h/t Julio Maldonado):
“With the passing of time we’ll be able to fully appreciate what these players have achieved in these past 20 years. They are incredible. As a player and a person, (Cristiano) is spectacular. He’s a true athlete who takes care of all the details. (Messi) is an alien. He’s an absolute phenomenon, capable of doing anything with the ball.”
Other players who haven't picked a side in the eternal debate are Portuguese nationals Andre Gomes, Nelson Semedo, Francisco Trincao and Vitinha.