• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming the 'greatest player ever'

Home> Football> Football News

Published 13:25 23 Feb 2024 GMT

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming the 'greatest player ever'

It's a big call.

Chris Byfield

Chris Byfield

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when naming the greatest player ever.

The past two decades have seen Messi and Ronaldo firmly establish themselves among the world’s greatest-ever players.

Between them, they have won every trophy available and claimed 13 Ballon d’Ors, with Messi having picked up the coveted individual award a record eight times.

Advert

However, former United manager Solskjaer snubbed both when asked to pick the greatest player of all time.

The Norwegian instead opted for Messi’s former national team manager and compatriot Diego Maradona.

Maradona was named alongside Pele as FIFA’s Player of the 20th Century after a topsy-turvy career which saw him inspire Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and claim two Serie A titles with Napoli.

“Maradona is the greatest ever player,” Solskjaer insisted to National News. “And I was lucky enough to meet him. He didn’t really speak English.

“It was at Old Trafford when I was the Cardiff manager and watched United v Liverpool. We got battered.

Advert

“Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush were sat behind me. I put my cap down. I was with my assistant Demps [Mark Dempsey], and he said ‘There’s someone across the table who wants to speak to you'. I looked across and it was Maradona. He came across.”

Elsewhere, Solskjaer admitted he was eager to return to management, but was waiting for the right opportunity, having been sacked as United boss in November 2021.

Maradona inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 (Getty)
Maradona inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 (Getty)

“It’s not that I’m looking for a job because I’m enjoying my time [off], but I’m ready for a job,” he says.

Advert

“Something that triggers you, that you fancy, that you can achieve something.

“I like working with people that share my values. I’m also coaching FC Clausenengen/Kristiansund under 16s.

“We have an important game on Wednesday. And I’m doing my Uefa stuff analysing games. I watch games all the time but it’s a nice way of keeping your head in that tactical frame.

He added: “I don’t like to sound arrogant, but when you’ve been the manager of Manchester United you’ve had the highs. You spent your life at United and made enough money – so it’s not about the money, it’s about the challenge.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty and Forbes

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Diego Maradona, Football, Premier League, Manchester United

Chris Byfield
Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • 3 hours ago

    Ex-Chelsea wonderkid tipped to be 'football's next big thing' announces shock retirement from football

    The player made seven appearances for Chelsea and was once compared to Eden Hazard.

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Alexander Isak 'cut price tag' revealed as Liverpool deal with Newcastle 'in play'

    The Newcastle United forward has attracted interest from several top clubs this summer.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

    The Real Madrid boss could be set to replace the veteran midfielder, who will leave the club later this summer.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future

    Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Inter Miami.

    Football
  • Piers Morgan snubs Lionel Messi when naming all-time XI after producing 'sheet of facts' to prove Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest of all time
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally admitted what Manchester United fans always suspected about Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes surprise admission about Cristiano Ronaldo and former Man Utd assistant Kieran McKenna
  • Lionel Messi gives rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo