Nine Players Who Played With Both Ronaldo And Messi Decide Who's Best

I have a theory that the afterlife, if you go to the bad place, is just a series of never ending conversations about if Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is better. So to save us from that horrid life here's what nine of the people who have played with both think.

Of course there is one worse conversation that is overdone and that's which of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes was the best but we can leave that for another day, thank god.

They'll never be a conclusive answer to who is better between Ronaldo and Messi, they're both just a bit bloody brilliant.

But that will never stop us all obsessing over who we can call the true god of football. On five Ballon d'Ors each it's pretty obvious how evenly matched they are. So what do those who know them best think?

Give Me Sport had a look at nine players who have played with them both and how they've answered the question, 'who is the best?'

Angel di Maria: "Messi is always the best, he's the best every year. Cristiano Ronaldo's a special player, but Messi's from another planet. There are no words to describe Messi, he always surprises you."

Messi and Di Maria playing together for Argentina. Image: PA Images

Carlos Tevez: "Cristiano had to work and prepare himself to be the best, while for Leo it comes naturally.Those are the greatest differences that I see between the two best players on the planet. Messi plays another sport. For Messi to score three goals [in any given game] is normal."

Andre Gomes: "I do not like to compare them out of respect. I will never answer it. I'm Portuguese and I have affection for Cristiano, as much as I do for Messi, who is my teammate at Barcelona."

Gerard Pique: "For me it's like Messi is not human but Cristiano is the best of the humans."

Neither Pique or Ronaldo were at their best for Manchester United when they played together. Image: PA Images

Ezequiel Garay: "When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo. From the first time I saw him with Argentina U-15 to this day he continues to amaze me. He has no limit."

Henrik Larsson: "Cristiano is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Messi. Ronaldo is a very good player, but Messi is even better."

"He is from out of this world. He's so good that it's almost incredible. When you see him with the ball at his feet it's hard to believe that anybody else could do the same. He's a fantastic player to see."

Gabriel Heinze: "Cristiano Ronaldo has drive and enviable self-discipline. He's an obsessive. As long as he has not reached the goal he has put in his head, he does not stop trying.

"Leo is inexplicable. Footballistically, he does not come from this planet. And as a person, he leads such a quiet life that is admirable."

Heinze and Ronaldo were part of a very successful United side. Image: PA Images.

Fernando Gago: "For me he [Ronaldo] is not number one. For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches. Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays."

Deco: "Cristiano was young and athletic, very competitive. Messi worked hard to do what he can do with a football now at Barcelona.

"Ronaldinho was a natural with special ability. Whenever we gave the ball to him, the moves and goals were from a different world. He was far more gifted than Leo or Cristiano."

Ronaldinho was good but not sure Deco quite got the question. Image: PA Images

So that's two who couldn't, or wouldn't split the two superstars, six who went for Messi and Deco, who went for Ronaldinho, really helpful that Deco, thanks!

Sorry Cristiano but you clearly aren't impressing your teammates, maybe if you passed to them more often...

(H/t Give Me Sport)

Topics: Football News, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28