AC Milan legend weighs in on the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

• The debate of who the better player is between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to rage for over a decade
• Several elite football players and key stakeholders have often aired their thoughts on the never-ending argument
• AC Milan and Italy legend, Paolo Maldini, has recently aired his thoughts on the conversation in a recent interview

The debate over who is the better player between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has persisted for the better part of the last decade and a half.

Both football superstars, who took the footballing world by storm since bursting onto the scene in the early 2000s, have each won the prestigious Ballon d’Or prize more than 13 times between them.

Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo battle for possession during the friendly match between Paris Saint-Germain and Riyadh XI at King Fahd Stadium on January 19, 2023. Image: Aurelien Meunier.
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo and Messi also elevated goalscoring and redefined how football is played, with both players finding the back of the net over 1,500 times combined.

The incredible feats both players achieved during the peak of their careers have sparked ongoing conversations and arguments about which player is superior.

Recently, former Italian footballer, Paolo Maldini, has shared his perspective on who he considers to be the better player of the two.

Maldini speaks on Ronaldo vs Messi comparison

In an interview captured by Barca Universal, the 56-year-old expressed his preference for Messi over Ronaldo.

"I know both Messi and Ronaldo very well. They've dominated the Ballon d'Or for the past decade. While Ronaldo is undoubtedly a top player and a strong individual, I believe Messi might just edge him out. Personally, I prefer Messi."

Maldini also disclosed his regret at not having the chance to play for AC Milan in the Italian Serie A.

“When I heard rumours about Messi potentially moving to Inter in 2020, I was furious. For ten days, I made every effort to bring him to Milan, but it proved impossible. A player of his calibre is a spectacle for everyone, even if it's later in his career. He continually surprises with his extraordinary abilities."

Maldini's comments add to the growing list of former footballers and coaches including, Jurgen Klopp, who, in a recent interview as reported by Sportskeeda, have voiced their admiration for the Argentine maestro.

Messi snubs Bellingham for Ballon d’Or

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Messi has named Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe among the frontrunners for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award but has excluded Jude Bellingham from the race.

The England midfielder, who had a stellar debut season with Real Madrid, is expected to provide stiff competition to whoever is in the running for the prize.

The Ballon d’Or, which both Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have largely dominated over the last decade, saw the Argentina captain add another to his record-extending accolade following his triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Source: TUKO.co.ke