Sir Alex Ferguson has weighed into the Messi vs Ronaldo debate picking Cristiano Ronaldo as the better player. Speaking at an event at the Convention Centre with Rory McIlroy in aid of the golfer's foundation, the former Manchester United manager who helped Ronaldo become a world class star said:
"When the ball is at Messi's feet it is like he is wearing slippers," Ferguson said.
"But there is a difference between Messi and Ronaldo and I'll tell you what it is. I think Messi is a Barcelona player but Ronaldo could be playing for Stockport County and he would score a hat-trick. He is brilliant in the air and he has two feet."
Sir Alex felt that Cristiano Ronaldo was a more complete player than Lionel Messi. During the event he spoke on a wide range of topics including whom he thought was the least talented among United’s famous Class of 92 batch.
"Gary Neville was an ordinary average player who made himself a great player from practice."
He also spoke on how he motivated his team after the heartbreak of losing the Premier League title to Manchester City thanks to the “AGUEROOOOOOO” goal giving an interesting insight on how he motivated his players.
"For 30 seconds we were champions," Ferguson said. "I had to walk down the tunnel and John O'Shea was there. He was playing for Sunderland and he saw me and he just said 'Boss, what can I say?'.
"I went into the dressing room and I told the players when they were doing any media interviews just to say congratulations to City and that we were going to win the league the following year."
The next season Manchester United bounced back and took the Premier League title in what proved to be Sir Alex’s last season in charge. However, he did admit that he was not sure what he would do if Manchester United had not won the Premier League title that season.
"I told Cathy I was going to retire and she said 'are you sure?'," he said.
"I knew it was time because the first time I said I would retire she said 'no you aren't'. If we didn't win the league I don't know what I would have done."
Sir Alex Ferguson is probably the greatest manager of all time and his former protegee Cristiano Ronaldo will be happy with the vote of confidence given by his mentor.
