Rodri Declares Lionel Messi the Undisputed GOAT and Highlights Key Difference with Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester City star Rodri has weighed in on the longstanding debate over football’s greatest player, firmly siding with Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo. Having faced both legends during his career, Rodri praised Messi as the “greatest of all time, without any doubt” and explained why he believes the Argentine has an edge over his Portuguese counterpart.
A Decade-Long Rivalry
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has captivated football fans and pundits for more than a decade. Both players have set incredible records:
- Ronaldo boasts a staggering 928 career goals for club and country, 34 trophies, including five Champions League titles, and five Ballon d’Ors.
- Messi, on the other hand, has 877 career goals, 41 trophies, four Champions League wins, and a record eight Ballon d’Ors.
Despite these accomplishments, Rodri believes Messi’s all-round game makes him superior.
“Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, without any doubt,” Rodri told El Hormiguero via Goal. “Cristiano has managed to match Messi without innate talent. But those of us who have played against them can see the difference.”
The Key Difference: Danger Zones
Rodri highlighted the contrast in how both players threaten opponents:
“We didn’t want Cristiano to step into the box because he was lethal there. But with Messi, the danger was everywhere on the pitch,” he explained.
Messi’s ability to create and exploit opportunities from anywhere on the field gave him a unique edge.
Rodri also shared his personal experience defending against Messi, comparing the challenge to facing a bull in the ring.
“When Messi got the ball, you’d think: ‘Oh, danger.’ When I first started playing against him, I tried to take the ball from him, and he dodged you as if you were a bull in the ring. The feeling I had was that something bad was about to happen.”
Rodri’s Perspective as a Ballon d’Or Winner
Rodri’s comments carry added weight as the 28-year-old was recently crowned the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, thanks to an outstanding year that saw him win the Champions League with Manchester City and Euro 2024 with Spain. His triumph follows a run of dominance from Messi, who claimed three of the last four Ballon d’Ors.
Recovery and Reflection
Rodri made these remarks while taking time out from his ongoing recovery from an ACL injury, which has sidelined him for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. Despite his setback, Rodri continues to reflect on the game and the iconic players who have shaped it.
For Rodri, Messi’s all-encompassing brilliance and ability to change the course of a game from anywhere make him football’s ultimate icon.
