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Jurgen Klopp Gives Classy Response To The Lionel Messi And Cristiano Ronaldo Debate

Jurgen Klopp Gives Classy Response To The Lionel Messi And Cristiano Ronaldo Debate

The Liverpool boss sang the praises of both players.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Jurgen Klopp has given his verdict on the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate and it could be the best response yet.

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated European football for the last decade and both men will go down as two of the greatest ever.

It's only natural to compare the two but Liverpool manager Klopp may have summed the comparisons up perfectly.

Speaking to German YouTube channel freekickerz per Goal.com, the coach explained: "For me Messi, but I couldn't admire Ronaldo more than I do already."

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PA

He then went on to call Juventus forward Ronaldo the 'perfect player' and said he couldn't love the 35-year-old anymore than he already does.

"The explanation is the following: We've played against both already and both are almost impossible to defend. But Messi has much lower physical requirements from birth on.

"If you could paint yourself a perfect player, it would have Ronaldo's height, he could jump and run as high or quick as Ronaldo can do.

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PA

"What is then even added to that is his total attitude - it is absolutely perfect and professional, it couldn't be any better.

"And on the other side there is the small Messi who makes everything look so simple. And therefore I like him maybe a little bit more as a player on the pitch. But Cristiano is also an absolutely incredible player."

It's the longevity of the pair that is just as impressive as their talent on the pitch, and it's something Klopp thinks has helped when establishing themselves as all-time greats.

"What both have in common is that both have left their footprints for such a long time," the 52-year-old added.

"There are also some younger players who have a similar potential, but to do that over this time period is even more incredible."

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Klopp has come up against both men in his career at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, with Messi's best showing come in last season's Champions League.

Although the tie is better known for Liverpool's remarkable Anfield comeback in the second leg, Messi dropped a masterclass in the first leg at the Nou Camp and capped off a 3-0 win with a stunning free-kick.

Klopp came up against Ronaldo during the 35-year-old's time at Real Madrid, who Klopp managed to defeat when leading BVB to the Champions League final in 2013.

What do you think of the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi debate?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images & freekickerz/YouTube

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Juventus, Jurgen Klopp, Cristiano Ronaldo