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Ashley Cole Asked Who's Tougher To Face Between Cristiano Ronaldo And Lionel Messi

Ashley Cole Asked Who's Tougher To Face Between Cristiano Ronaldo And Lionel Messi

Cole played against both Messi and Ronaldo in his career.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Ashley Cole answered football's age-old question; Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?

The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea left-back was a special guest on Monday Night Football last year, and he answered a bunch of questions following a Premier League fixture between West Ham United and Liverpool.

From his best XI he's played with to Ronaldo or Messi?

And Cole didn't hesitate, immediately siding with Messi.

"It has to be Messi," he said on Sky Sports.

Cole admitted the Barcelona great 'was just too good' for him while adding a cheeky line.

"People talk about Ronaldo more because I played against him more. But I think to mark Messi, on his day... he was just too good for me.

"But, again, he's never scored [against me]," he added.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Image: PA
Image: PA

Manchester United hero Ronaldo actually named Cole as the toughest defender he has ever faced.

"Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe," the Portuguese superstar said.

"He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Ronaldo and Messi could face off again one last time tonight as Juventus take on Barcelona in the Champions League.

Interviewed by DAZN, Messi spoke warmly about the player who is often seen as his eternal counterpart.

"The one with Cristiano Ronaldo was and is a special duel, which will remain forever," he said, reflecting on their time together in La Liga. "It lasted many years and it is not easy to maintain certain levels for a long time.

"Our teams were also very demanding: Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two strongest clubs in the world. Competing as equals for so many years is something that will remain forever. The duel between me and Cristiano Ronaldo was very good on a personal level and I think people enjoyed it."

Featured Image Credit: PA Images & Sky Sports

Topics: Football News, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Juventus, Arsenal, Champions League, Ashley Cole, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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