According to famed Brazilian footballing legend Roberto Carlos, Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the best players to ever grace a soccer pitch. The pair have won 12 Ballon d’Or awards between themselves in the past 15 years. The debate of who is the better soccer player is never-ending. Even people who don’t follow soccer debate over who is the better player. Many celebrities, personalities, and even former players sometimes weigh in their opinion.
Roberto Carlos who is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs ever and one of the best players of his time also gave his opinion on the GOAT debate.
Why did Roberto Carlos pick Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi?
Carlos, who won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, once spoke to Fox Sports in 2017 on what distinguishes Ronaldo from Messi and Neymar. At the time, Ronaldo had just won a second consecutive Champions League at Real Madrid and equaled Messi on five Ballon d’Ors. According to Sportsbible, the Brazilian said,
“These days, when you talk about football, you talk about Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo. Cristiano has worked to improve.
“When you talk about the Ballon d’Or or any other prize, it’s not just any person who votes, it’s people who know football, who follow the stats of the players and pick the best in the world.”
https://youtu.be/UKMrsM-6NWY
The Brazilian previously famously stated, “Football is my life, training is my passion,” and it’s no wonder that he prefers Ronaldo above Messi owing to the latter’s commitment to training. He believes Cristiano has an edge due to his work ethic and elite mentality to improve every day.
“I watch him train every day and the way he works is exciting. He wants to improve every day. That’s the difference with Messi. Leo is a phenomenon, we never talk about Neymar… but that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success…Cristiano has an advantage over all the others.”
Carlos played 11 years at the Bernabeu, appearing 512 times for Real Madrid and scoring 67 goals as a left-back. Therefore, for the Real Madrid and Brazil legend to choose another club legend over a Barcelona and Argentine legend makes sense.
Ronaldo and Messi now
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 38, joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in January after parting ways with Manchester United. The Saudi club offered the star footballer a contract that made him the world’s best-paid player. Cristiano had a dream start to life and scored eight goals, including two hat tricks in the Saudi Pro League, and even won the Player of the Month award for February. He currently has 12 goals in 12 games.
Messi meanwhile currently has 15 goals and 15 assists in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain. Since Carlos’s choice, the Argentine has won the World Cup and also has two extra Ballon d’Ors than his eternal rival, giving him an extra edge in the GOAT debate. He is also in the running for an 8th Ballon d’Or this year. He is expected to leave in the summer and could possibly rejoin Barcelona.
