Kevin De Bruyne asked who he would prefer to play with between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Kevin De Bruyne provided a measured answer when asked if he would prefer to play with Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

De Bruyne is one of the greatest players of his generation and the Manchester City midfielder gave a simple explanation for why he would benefit more from linking up with Ronaldo, feeling as though Messi would operate in a similar space to him as a "playmaker".

The Belgium international has come up against both players at club level and the international stage and said he would rather play with the former Manchester United superstar because he's more of a 'typical striker'.

"I would probably say Ronaldo because he’s more of a typical striker," De Bruyne stated.

"Messi is still more of a playmaker.

"I am a playmaker, you can give me a striker."

De Bruyne thrives off having that focal point to play off and caused chaos playing alongside Erling Haaland, who scored an incredible 52 goals in his debut season at Manchester City.

Messi and Ronaldo have dominated football for more than 15 years, with both scoring a ridiculous amount of goals and collecting 79 trophies and 12 Ballon d'Ors between them.

Image: Getty

Their rivalry was a healthy one as they forced one another to raise their game but now no longer playing in Europe in their final years, Ronaldo believes their feud is no longer present.

"I don't see things like that, the rivalry is gone," Ronaldo said in a recent press conference.

"It was good, spectators liked it. Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa. We've done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that's the most important thing.

"He's followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe.

"From what I've seen, he's been doing well and so have I. The legacy lives on, but I don't see the rivalry like that. We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, I've never had dinner with him, but we're professional colleagues and we respect each other."

Topics: Kevin De Bruyne, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City, Al Nassr

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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