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Former Real Madrid attacker Julio Baptista picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo when asked to choose between the two. The two players have etched their names among the all-time greats to have graced the game and share an eternal rivalry.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry has been running for almost two decades. They have won 13 Ballon d’Ors between themselves, which speaks volumes regarding their dominance in the game.
Former Brazil international Julio Baptista, who was on the books of Real Madrid between 2005 and 2008, admitted that he rates Messi slightly higher than Ronaldo. While admitting that he cherishes the rivalry between the two superstars, he labelled Messi as a genius.
Baptista said that Messi and Ronaldo are the two greatest players in the last two decades and probably in the history of the game as well, telling Oddspedia in July 2024:
“Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are incredible players, but I would rate Messi slightly higher. I think because they both played in the same league for Real Madrid and Barcelona it created an incredible rivalry."
Baptista added:
“There was so much expectation on them, and they both have delivered, Ronaldo is unbelievable, but Messi is a genius, winning the Ballon d’Or eight times says it all. They are the best players of the last 20 years and probably in the history of football.”
Lionel Messi is the most decorated footballer of all time with 45 trophies for club and country. Aged 37, he's plying his trade at Inter Miami, having scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in 29 appearances across competitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, holds the record for most goals in men's football with 895 goals for club and country. Aged 39, he's still scoring for fun for Al-Nassr, for whom he has 59 goals and 16 assists in 65 games across competitions.
Henrick Larsen picks Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Manchester United attacker Henrik Larsen picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate. The Swedish great said that Ronaldo is unlucky to play in the same era as Messi.
On being asked to pick one in the never-ending rivalry between the two legends, Larsen picked Messi. The former Manchester United star said, as quoted by Give Me Sport:
“Cristiano is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Messi. Ronaldo is a very good player but Messi is even better. He is out of this world. He’s so good that it’s almost incredible.
“When you see him with the ball at his feet, it’s hard to believe that anybody else could do the same. He’s a fantastic player to see."
Larsen was lucky to share the dressing room with both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during his illustrious career.
He played for Barcelona between 2004 and 2006 when Messi broke through the ranks. He also had a short loan spell at Manchester United between January and March 2007 where he teamed up with Ronaldo.
