Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
It's the argument that has broken friendships, ruined relationships and caused several million discussions on social media, but who would you choose?
Sir Alex Ferguson has unsurprisingly leaned towards former Manchester United player and good friend Cristiano Ronaldo, but you might be surprised to hear why he would rather have the Portugal international on his team.
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Image: PA
In an interview via Independent, Fergie explained how his former employee could adapt to any circumstance:
"When the ball is at Lionel Messi's feet it is like he is wearing slippers,"
"But there is a difference between Messi and Ronaldo and I'll tell you what it is. I think Messi is a Barcelona player but Ronaldo could be playing for Stockport County and he would score a hat-trick. He is brilliant in the air and he has two feet."
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Could Lionel Messi not play for Stockport County and score a hat-trick, Sir Alex?
Image: PA
Forget David vs Goliath, Ronaldo vs Messi is the biggest rivalry of them all, but in reality, how do both players feel about each other?
Cristiano Ronaldo has always maintained a mutual respect with Messi, and the little magician has also respected his long term 'rival'.
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Ahead of the Champions League final in May, Ronaldo admitted that he enjoyed watching the Barcelona winger, stating: "I like to see all good players and Messi is one of them. He is a player,
"I really enjoy seeing him on the pitch and all the great players." he told Fox Sports Argentina.
Image: PA
Ronaldo did admit that the pair were not exactly friends, but the mutual respect is definitely there between two of the greatest players of all time:
"Whenever I'm with him, I have a very good relationship with Messi,
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"It's not that I go to his house and eat together. He is not a friend, but I consider him a companion by profession and not a rival because I don't like it, like comparisons.
"It is part of the work and the world of football."
Image: PA
Just days after Ronaldo made the above comments, Messi has now chipped in with his own opinion and it again shows how much respect the pair have for each other.
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Notice how I keep on repeating the word respect, but it's a message to those who think Ronaldo hates Messi, and vice versa.
Messi claimed that four time Ballon d'Or winner is phenomenal: "No, I have always said it -- and [Ronaldo] from his part -- that he is armed with the presence of us both," he said via ESPN
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He then went onto say the following about the 'phenomenal' Ronaldo: "We try to achieve the best every year for our team, and what is said outside of that I don't think is very important.
"He is a phenomenal player with a lot of quality. All the world knows, and that is why he is one of the best of the world."
Whether you think Ronaldo is the better player, or Messi, you cannot deny that the mutual respect here is admirable.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:ย Messi, Ronaldo, Ferguson