The times are well nigh when the new generation superstars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the current greatest in the world.
Ronaldo is still playing in the Premier League with Manchester United and still churning out impressive displays despite his age although it is evident he has passed his physical peak and is approaching the end of his illustrious career.
Likewise, despite his surprise 7th Ballon d’Or win, Lionel Messi is also in the autumnal phase of his career at 34 and is still coming to terms with adjusting to life at Paris Saint-Germain following his move from Barcelona in the summer.
Hence, as the new crop of younger, more vibrant superstars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe ready themselves to receive the baton as the greatest new players heading into the new era, it’s still worth re-assessing who is actually the better player between Ronaldo and Messi.
The debate had been raging on throughout close to two decades with both icons obviously enjoying the loyal, and even aggressive, support of their legions of fans who had their own bias. Until Manchester United’s former legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave his opinion with his own clear perspective back in 2015.
Fergie was the one who perceptively signed Ronaldo for United in 2003 and helped develop him into one of the finest players in the world before he was then re-sold to Real Madrid for a then world record £80million. Yet, amazingly and most surprisingly to all, despite their positive relationship throughout, Fergie opted to side with Messi when he was asked by 1991 world snooker champion John Parrott to pick between the pair, according to the Mirror.
‘People say who is the best player in the world? And plenty of people quite rightly say Messi – you can’t dispute that opinion,’ Ferguson said in 2015.
Obviously not many would have expected the iconic legendary Ferguson to back Messi in the ultimate football debate, although he did hint that Messi was seemingly a one-club man and could probably only produce his best at Barca, while Ronaldo could adapt better anywhere and show his pedigree no matter what team he played for.
Ferguson added: ‘But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers… anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game. I’m not sure Messi could do it.
‘Ronaldo’s got two feet, he’s quick, great in the air, he’s brave – Messi’s brave, of course. I think Messi’s a Barcelona player.’
At the end of the day, that is all still just another individual’s opinion, although one could argue that a football doyen like Sir Alex Ferguson should know better how to gauge between both the superstars, especially having been the one to gift Ronaldo the opportunity to make his presence on the world stage.