Rodri explains what the difference is between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The question of who is the greatest footballer of all time continues to spark heated debates among fans and experts alike, with figures like Diego Maradona, Pelé, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and contemporary stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo frequently mentioned in the conversation. Both Messi and Ronaldo have dominated football over the past decade, with their rivalry intensifying as they shared the spotlight in major awards.

Rodri’s Opinion: "No Doubts, Messi is the Best"

In a recent interview on the Spanish program El Hormiguero, Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, the current Ballon d'Or holder, was asked to settle the age-old debate. Rodri did not hesitate, proclaiming: "No tengo dudas: Messi" (I have no doubts: Messi).

The Manchester City midfielder elaborated, drawing a contrast between the two footballing legends: "Cristiano has managed to match Messi in many things, perhaps without the innate talent that Leo has," Rodri explained. He went on to describe his experience playing against both Messi and Ronaldo, underscoring the unique qualities that set them apart.

Rodri emphasized that, while Ronaldo was a lethal force in the penalty area, Messi posed a constant threat across the entire field. "When Messi got the ball, you knew danger was coming... it didn’t matter which foot he used, you just knew something bad was going to happen." Rodri recalled his early days of playing against Messi, recalling how even as a young player, he felt completely overwhelmed by Messi's skills, likening the feeling to “vaquillas”, a term referring to the nervousness of a bullfighter facing a bull.

Rodri's Record Against Messi and Ronaldo

Rodri also shared his personal record against both players. His statistics against Cristiano Ronaldo were more favorable, with four wins, three draws, and three losses in 10 encounters. However, his record against Lionel Messi was significantly worse, with just one win, two draws, and five losses in eight meetings. The only victory Rodri could recall against Messi was in the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League, when Manchester City triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain.

Ángel Di María: Messi's Talent Unmatched

In a similar vein, Ángel Di María, Messi’s former teammate and close friend, also weighed in on the debate in an interview with the YouTube channel Clank!. Di María, like Rodri, firmly believes that Messi stands alone in the conversation of the greatest. "I’ve always said that both are the best in history, but Messi is always the best," Di María stated. He highlighted that Messi's superiority was not just due to his record number of Ballon d'Or awards, but because of the natural talent Messi possessed.

"What Cristiano has is hard work and more hard work. What Messi has is pure talent, what God gave him. He doesn’t need to try to be the best." Di María described Messi’s effortless genius, saying that watching him play was like watching a man enjoying a game with friends. "Leo doesn’t have comparisons with anyone," he concluded.