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#3 Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos, one of the best full-backs in the history of football, never played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. The legendary full-back, who has the most goals by a defender in Champions League history, met Messi a few times while he was at Real Madrid.
A star performer at Madrid for almost a decade, Carlos says Ronaldo is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of his training and professionalism. He said:
“I watch him (Cristiano) train every day and the way he works is exciting,” the legendary left-back said. “He wants to improve every day. That's the difference with Messi. Leo is a phenomenon, but that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success... Cristiano has an advantage over all the others.”
Roberto Carlos left Madrid two years before Ronaldo arrived at the club. But a Madridista to the core, Carlos experienced Ronaldo's staggering exploits from close quarters.
#2 Michael Owen
Michael Owen was one of the most predatory strikers in the game during his playing days.
The former Manchester United striker didn't play with either Messi or Ronaldo. In fact, Owen arrived at United in the same summer that saw Ronaldo move to Real Madrid.
Considering that Ronaldo is a more versatile scorer than Messi, Owen picked the Portuguese over the latter, saying:
“Goalscoring is the hardest art in football and [Ronaldo] makes it look so easy. Head, left foot, right foot. Messi is a decent header of a ball but if you're looking at all-round players, you go head-to-head with Messi and Ronaldo, you'd say Ronaldo has a lot more different attributes, let's say. He's probably always been quicker, right foot, left foot and header of a ball. I think Messi is outstanding in certain attributes, but as an all-round physique, Ronaldo is such an all-round player."
Owen, who also played for Real Madrid, retired from the game at the end of the 2012-13 season.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is one of the hottest strikers in the game at the moment. Only 22, the Frenchman has won a plethora of league titles and won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France.
Although he has been joined by Messi at PSG, Mbappe has long been an admirer of Ronaldo, saying:
“From one year to the next, my choice changes between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, even if I have to admit to picking Ronaldo more often. I loved him when I was younger.”
Mbappe almost joined Real Madrid this summer, but has stayed put at PSG.
