"This duo has done so much for football" - Koulibaly provides response when asked to pick between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Hilal Defender Kalidou Koulibaly has given his opinion on the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate. Koulibaly was diplomatic while stating who is better between the duo, as he said that comparing both players would be ‘disrespectful’. He also pointed out that the Argentine and his Portuguese rival have done so much for football.
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated football discourse for over a decade, often overshadowing the immense contributions both have made to the sport. Messi, known for his extraordinary dribbling ability, vision, and goal-scoring prowess, brings a unique flair to the game.
On the other hand, Ronaldo’s sheer athleticism, work ethic, and goal-scoring record have established him as one of the greatest to ever play the game. His drive and determination have set benchmarks for aspiring athletes worldwide.
In the process, many have weighed in on who is better between the pair, typically called the ‘’GOAT debate’’. When Koulibaly was asked to make his choice between Messi and Ronaldo, here is what he said (via @psg_chief on X):
“I will never allow myself to compare Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, that would be disrespectful. This duo has done so much for football. I refuse to compare them and I believe that they are two different players. Lionel Messi has a natural talent and when the ball is at his feet magic happens. When people talk about Messi & Ronaldo..I would love to add Neymar Jr in the conversation. We are lucky to have Neymar in Al Hilal."
Prior to this, Kalidou Koulibaly had talked about what it meant to play against Ronaldo when he was at Chelsea. The Senegalese defender left Chelsea in 2023 to join Al-Hilal for a reported fee of €23 million.
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Wayne Rooney picks the player better than him in his youth
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was recently asked to decide whether Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and a host of other players were better than him in his teenage years. Just like several other players, Rooney has chosen who his GOAT is between Messi and Ronaldo. But this time, the question was different.
In a game of 'stay silent' with talkSPORT, Rooney was asked to remain silent until he heard a player that was better than him in his youth. Players mentioned included Michael Owen, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The interviewer was surprised when Rooney remained silent even after Ronaldo's name was mentioned, saying:
''That’s big, you know.’’
Rooney, however, broke his silence when Messi was mentioned. He said:
''Yeah, I’d say Messi, yeah.’’
Both Ronaldo and Messi are stil going strong in their late 30s. The former currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr while the latter is with Inter Miami in the MLS.