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“Cristiano Ronaldo Only Cares About..”- Ex-Man United Star Prefers Lionel Messi Over His Former Teammate

Published 04/25/2024, 8:00 AM EDT

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Commenting on the ever-famous Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi GOAT debate has become a favorite time pass for many former soccer stars lately. Veteran soccer coach Fabio Capello recently sided with Messi in the GOAT debate, declaring he was more intelligent. Now, the GOAT debate has once again landed in the Argentine’s court, as one of Ronaldo’s former teammates has ditched him to laud the former.

Giuseppe Rossi joined Manchester United in 2004 while Cristiano Ronaldo was establishing himself as a regular starter at Old Trafford. Anyhow, Rossi’s previous association with the Al Nassr skipper has not stopped him from siding with Leo Messi. While doing so, the Italian international detailed how Ronaldo and Messi’s gameplays drastically differ.

Why did Rossi choose Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo?

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In a recent interview, Giuseppe Rossi was initially diplomatic while speaking about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying it was hard to compare both. Then, he delved deeper into Ronaldo’s playing style. “Ronaldo went from a winger to being the best number nine on the planet, scoring goals is all he cares about,” Rossi told DAZN. Thereafter, he spoke of Leo Messi. “Messi is a goalscorer but he facilitates and I appreciate that as a player who likes to come deep and get the ball… So that’s why I lean more towards watching Messi play. It’s all about preference, it’s all about preference,” the Italian added, labeling Messi a “cerebral player.”

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After spending a few years with Ronaldo in the Red Devils camp, Rossi would play against him in La Liga in Spain. During his Spanish stint, he also chanced to face Leo Messi. The 37-year-old has plied his trade for three Spanish teams- Villarreal, Levante, and Celta Vigo. It is quite likely that his teams would have taken a beating from Messi’s Barcelona. Hence, it is no surprise to see him laud the former Blaugrana superstar. Besides, more than a dozen of Ronaldo’s previous teammates have reportedly declared Messi as the better player among the two.

Famous ex-teammates who ditched Ronaldo for Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo saw his most successful phase in Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric have been through the thick and thin with Ronaldo during this glorious journey. However, the two once famously labeled Lionel Messi as the best player in the world. Ramos admitted he struggled to face Messi, but was relieved to pair with him in PSG. “I am now enjoying him. He is the best player football has ever produced,” said the former Madrid captain.

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via Reuters

Meanwhile, Modric said Leo Messi deserved to win the World Cup in 2022 because ‘he is the best in history.’ Besides these two, many of Ronaldo’s teammates, such as Rio Ferdinand, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, and Paul Scholes, among others, hailed the Argentine as the game’s best. Now Giuseppe Rossi joins the crowd. Do you agree with Rossi? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by:

Krishna Prasad M

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One take at a time

Krishna Prasad is Soccer Writer at EssentiallySports. Unlike others, his journey as a sports enthusiast was not colored by soccer initially. The 2006 FIFA World Cup, however, changed his perspective, as the beautiful game took up a small space in his heart.
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Edited by:

Sreeda U M