The two players who scared Steven Gerard the most in his entire professional career

Steven Gerrard, one of Liverpool's all-time greats, left an indelible mark on the footballing world with his exceptional skills and leadership. The iconic midfielder, who captained the Reds for years, amassed 710 appearances and netted 186 goals in all competitions. However, even a player of Gerrard's caliber admitted to feeling genuine fear on the pitch—reserved for just two opponents: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a 2015 interview with Mike Walters of the Daily Mirror, Gerrard reflected on his encounters with the two footballing giants, calling them the only players who operated on a different level. “We are all blessed that we are seeing these two (Messi and Ronaldo) in the same era,” Gerrard said. “They are the only two opponents I’ve been afraid of in my career, because they are deadly in the final third of the pitch.”

Clashes with the Greats

During his illustrious career, Gerrard faced Lionel Messi on two occasions. Both encounters occurred during the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, when Messi was already shining for Barcelona. Though Gerrard’s Liverpool ultimately emerged victorious in the tie, Messi's presence on the field left a lasting impression.

In contrast, Gerrard’s meetings with Cristiano Ronaldo were far more frequent. As Ronaldo donned the Manchester United jersey for six seasons, the two often clashed in heated Premier League battles. Additionally, they faced each other 11 times in international competitions and twice during Ronaldo’s tenure with Real Madrid.

Messi or Ronaldo? Gerrard’s Take

When asked to choose between the two legends, Gerrard leaned toward Lionel Messi, albeit by the slimmest of margins. “To split them is almost impossible,” he admitted. “If I was forced to pick one, I would probably go for Messi, but that’s only because he’s slightly more of a team player—he might just provide more assists or final passes, but it would be 51 to 49 percent in my mind. If that.”

Key Points from Gerrard's Revelations:

• Steven Gerrard hailed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players he ever feared on the pitch.
• He faced Messi twice during the 2006-07 Champions League Round of 16, with Liverpool defeating Barcelona in the tie.
• Gerrard encountered Ronaldo multiple times in the Premier League, international matches, and during Ronaldo’s Real Madrid stint.
• When choosing between Messi and Ronaldo, Gerrard slightly favored Messi for his team-oriented play and creative contributions.