“They were not intelligent” - When Nicolas Anelka questioned decisions made by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Former French forward Nicolas Anelka shared his concerns regarding Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's transfer decisions in 2022. He said that they were 'not intelligent' in moving to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) respectively.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus from Real Madrid in 2018, left the Italian giants to return to Manchester United in 2021 amidst much hype. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi had to leave Barcelona due to contract issues and he ended up joining PSG.
In March 2022, Anelka suggested that the duo should have moved to leagues at a lower level. The former Chelsea striker said (via Goal):
"This is what happens to players who want to play longer. Their careers are over and I think they must both be very happy with what they have achieved in the last 15 years. They were above the others and now it is normal for them to slow down.
"I was more surprised with Messi than with Ronaldo, I thought that Messi would turn around in France and Ronaldo would have more difficulties in England because, for me, the Premier League is the most demanding championship in the world.
"[They] were not intelligent. They should have thought of facing a less complicated challenge because you have to make the right decisions to finish at the top. There are players who don't hesitate to finish at 32, 33, 34 so as not to be criticized. I stopped at 36, but at 32 I went to China."
The duo did end up in arguably lower leagues soon after. While Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2023, Lionel Messi moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
When Nicolas Anelka spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's impact on youngsters' positions
In November 2023, Nicolas Anelka spoke about how Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have led to fewer youngsters trying to play a traditional No. 9. He said that due to the duo, they want to play either on the left or the right wing. Anelka said (via Daily Post Nigeria):
“Today, to find a number 9 there are fewer and fewer. The new generation was robbed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. And Messi and Ronaldo are two offensive players, but not number 9 attackers.
“All the young people identified with Ronaldo and Messi wanted to start playing either on the left or the right.”
Ronaldo became prominent in his early days playing on the left wing but eventually shifted to the centre-forward position later in his career. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has operated as a playmaker or as a false 9 for the majority of his career.