"There was so much expectation" - When former Real Madrid star picked Lionel Messi as his GOAT over Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Real Madrid player Julio Baptista once picked Argentine superstar Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in the football GOAT debate.
During an interview with Oddspedia in May, the former Brazilian attacker stated that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the two best football players in the last two decades. He lavished praise on both football stars. However, he ranked the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner above the Portugal captain. He said (via dailypost.ng):
"Both Lionel and Cristiano Ronaldo are incredible players. But I rate Messi slightly higher. I think because they both played in the same league for Real Madrid and Barcelona, it created an incredible rivalry."
He continued:
"There were 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."
Julio Baptista played for Real Madrid between 2005 and 2008. He signed for Los Blancos from Sevilla in 2005. However, he was loaned to Arsenal by the La Liga Giants in his second season (2006–07) at the Santiago Bernabeu. Later, he penned a deal with AS Roma in August 2008. He made a total of 78 appearances for Los Blancos, bagging 13 goals and six assists across competitions.
Roger Federer names his football GOAT between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
In 2019, former Swiss tennis star Roger Federer chose Argentine superstar Lionel Messi over Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in football's GOAT debate. The two football stars have dominated the sport for nearly two decades, and it's always difficult to choose a clear favorite in the debate.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion took the name of Lionel Messi when he was asked to choose between the two football icons in 2019. He said (via GOAL):
"I think Messi is the best player in the history of football. I love watching him play and I hope that one day he can win the World Cup."
Messi would go on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. Interestingly, it was the same year that Roger Federer announced his retirement from professional tennis. Federer teamed up with Spain's Rafael Nadal to play his last professional match at the 2022 Laver Cup against the American duo of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.