"Unreal numbers in the last decades" - When Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk once chose Argentine superstar Lionel Messi over Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo in the football GOAT (Greatest of all time) debate. The two football stars, Messi and Ronaldo, have dominated the sport for almost two decades and it's always difficult to choose a clear favorite between them.
In 2021, Virgil van Dijk was asked to make a choice between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Dutchman took Messi's side but also lavished praise on Cristiano Ronaldo for his consistency. He said (via The Mirror):
"I would say Lionel Messi, he's still the best football player in the world. Him and Cristiano (Ronaldo) have been doing unreal numbers in the last decades and it's incredible what they have achieved. But in this case I will choose Messi, we had a tough night in Barcelona (in 2019)."
He also recalled the first-leg semifinal clash between Barcelona and Liverpool during the 2019 UEFA Champions League. Messi guided the La Liga giants towards a 3-0 victory over the Merseyside club with a brace. Although Barcelona beat Liverpool in the first leg, Liverpool earned a 4-0 victory in the second leg to advance to the final and win the trophy. In the same year, Messi won his sixth Ballon d'Or title while the Liverpool star was second in the list.
Lionel Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or titles, and he also guided Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title. He currently plays for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. Messi has won two titles with the Herons, the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield Trophy.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has claimed the Ballon d'Or five times and led Portugal to 2016 Euro glory. He is presently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr. The 39-year-old emerged as the top goal-scorer in the league last season with a record 35 goals to help the team win the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
When former Real Madrid attacker picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Brazilian attacker Julio Baptista, who played for Real Madrid between 2005 and 2008, once chose Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo. During an interview with Oddspedia in May earlier this year, Baptista lauded both football stars.
He stated that Ronaldo and Messi have been the best two football players in the last two decades. Nevertheless, he chose the former Barcelona attacker over the Portuguese captain. He said (via dailypost.ng):
"Both Lionel Messi 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 further added:
"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."