Despite both players being in the final stages of their careers, the Cristiano Ronald and Lionel Messi debate rages on in the football world.
Players who grew up watching these two all-time greats are now professionals and have played alongside one or even both. FC Barcelona’s Pedri played with Messi before the Argentine departed the Spanish side.
As a result, there’s no question who the 19-year-old is siding with regarding the debate of who’s the greatest of all time between the two players.
“Cristiano is an amazing player, a total show watching him score goals,” Pedri said (h/t Sporf). “But for me, Messi is more complete, a player who gives you all so for me, I keep with Leo Messi.”
"Messi is more complete."
Pedri on the Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo debate! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/qzO5K75SIz
— SPORF (@Sporf) September 12, 2022
Training alongside a player of Messi’s caliber day in, day out while playing in a duo with the now-PSG superstar on the pitch and seeing him turn matches on their heads singlehandedly are all elements understandably influencing Pedri’s opinion.
Despite both players nearing the end of their careers, it doesn’t appear that the debate will ever go away even when Messi and Ronaldo decide to hang up their boots and enjoy retirement.