Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman has quipped that he would have acquired the services of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Lionel Messi if he had the opportunity to sign one between the talismanic duo. McManaman was sharing his thoughts ahead of the El Clasico with renowned football journalist Guillem Balague.
When the 44-year-old was asked whether he would have signed Ronaldo or Messi if he had enough money to sign one of them, McManaman said, “Leo suits Barcelona down to a tee and Cristiano suits Real Madrid the way they play,” he replied. “I don't think this thing that Leo Messi would find it hard against Stoke on a Tuesday night makes any sense. He'd probably find it very easy, but the fact that Cristiano has played in three different leagues I would probably just give him the nod.”
Mcmanaman spent four years of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu and had won numerous trophies during his time with the Spanish giants including 2 UEFA Champions League crowns. The Englishman believes that the football universe if lucky to witness Ronaldo and Messi play the beautiful game and go up against each other season after season.
“I think we're incredibly lucky that we've got Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the same time; challenging each other every single year to be better,” opined the former Liverpool player. “Cristiano scored 16 in the Champions League last year; Leo is now on nine after four games. It's just this competition between them every single year. Who can score the most goals, who can break the next record? We are really blessed with two different types of players. I think they are the best.”
Impossible to compare them with Pele and Maradona
The 44-year-old also stated that it is impossible to compare them with legendary players like Pele or Maradona and irrespective of whether they lead their nations to World Cup glory or not, they are arguably the greatest players of all time.
“It's nigh on impossible to compare say Cristiano or Leo with Pele because they played 30 or 40 years apart,” Mcmanaman said. “The difference is when you speak about legends of the past you normally speak about one person, whether it was Cruyff, Maradona, Pele, and the other players just stand around. But these two are brilliant and have been for the last seven years.”
“The numbers of goals that they churn out every year is just phenomenal. I don't think we'll get this ever again. Different types of player, different qualities, but they certainly have to be, arguably the greatest, definitely, regardless of not winning World Cups what they are achieving every single week when you average a goal a game, not in two games, but in 400 games. It absolutely bonkers!”
Ronaldo and Messi are girding up their loins ahead of Real’s visit to the Camp Nou for the El Clasico. With Real already 6 points clear atop the La Liga table, the Clasico is a must-win game for the Catalan giants.
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