Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? The age-old debate has been resurgent in full gale force after Messi’s World Cup triumph on Sunday with Real Madrid\u2019s Toni Kroos weighing in with his opinion.<\/p>\n
Kroos had once admitted he was “forbidden” from citing Lionel Messi\u00a0as the greatest player ever, but now looks to be singing a different aria after having witnessed the Argentine\u2019s recent World Cup exploits in Qatar.<\/p>\n
The Real Madrid\u00a0midfielder, much like the rest of the footballing world, was mesmerized on Sunday as the Argentine icon sizzled on the pitch going head-to-head against the best of France and finally claimed the World Cup with all the razzle and dazzle that only the diminutive Argentine wizard could conjure. It was the last prize that had long eluded him, but the other-worldly magician produced yet another stellar display as he led his team to glory in Qatar\u00a0under the most dramatic and extenuating circumstances.<\/p>\n
Suffice it to say that for many the sensational performance by Messi has conclusively ended the debate over who is the game’s greatest ever.<\/p>\n
Kroos himself had for many years played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who tragically endured a dismal tournament and is now compelled to ponder his next move after leaving Manchester under shambolic circumstances and with most, if not all, of Europe\u2019s top clubs preferring to keep their distance.<\/p>\n
The German star midfielder once said: “From my playing days, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo (best player of all time). Of course, I’m biased because he made a decisive contribution to us winning a lot of titles. It was exciting and impressive to play alongside Ronaldo. We were not only team-mates but also neighbours in the dressing room and neighbours in private.<\/p>\n
“He lived right next to me. Seeing what a perfectionist he is was impressive. That is why it is forbidden for me to name Messi (as the best player of all time).”<\/p>\n
Now though, with Ronaldo long since a few clubs removed as a team-mate, Kroos looks to have had a refreshing change of heart. Speaking after the World Cup he said on German platform MagentaTV:<\/p>\n
“He (Messi) deserves it. In terms of individual performances in a championship, I’ve never seen a footballer play as regularly as this guy. You have to take into account that he has never played for clubs that I find very funny, something that proves that I mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kroos is not the only former Ronaldo team-mate who has had a change of perspective when no longer playing alongside the Portuguese star. Sergio Ramos, who has been at PSG since leaving Real Madrid, previously told El Chiringuito TV: “Messi is one of the best in the world, if not the best.”<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old Messi, who is now the hot favorite to claim what would be an eighth Ballon d’Or, having won not only the World Cup but also its Golden Ball as the Best Player, has poured water on the idea he could retire despite reaching the pinnacle on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to keep experiencing a few more matches as world champion,\u201d he told Argentinean TV.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was lucky to clinch every title in my career, this was the only one missing. I want to take this one there [to Argentina] and enjoy it with everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Way to go, GOAT!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"