AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, one of the greatest defenders in football history, expressed his opinion that Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario possessed more magic than Cristiano Ronaldo. Maldini, who played against all three players during his illustrious career, acknowledged the undeniable talents of Ronaldo but highlighted the extraordinary flair and mesmerizing abilities of Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario.
While Ronaldo has achieved remarkable success and showcased his exceptional skills on the pitch, Maldini believes that Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario possessed a certain level of magic that set them apart. It is a subjective assessment based on Maldini’s personal experience and admiration for the incredible talents of these football legends.
Maldini’s Revelation: Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario Trump Cristiano Ronaldo in Magic
He competed against Maradona early in his career, Ronaldo Nazario throughout his peak, and Cristiano Ronaldo near the end. The Italian stated while describing the top attackers he has encountered
“He and Ronaldo, the Brazilian, are the strongest. I didn’t play against Messi, thank God. CR7 is a great striker, but he has less magic than the other two.”
“I was fast and physically strong, but they were even faster. Diego was also very nice: when they nominated him in the Hall of Fame, I was ashamed for having given him so many blows, and I apologized”, Tutto Juve said in an article from Sportskeeda.
Alessandro Nesta’s Surprise: Ronaldo Nazario Chosen Over Messi and Ronaldo
Alessandro Nesta, a former teammate of Paolo Maldini, is one of the elite central defenders. He is regarded as one of the sport’s all-time best defenders.
Playing for teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Inter Milan during his illustrious career. Additionally, he has won the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Cup.
Although he accomplished a lot, one could say that because of his fitness concerns, fans were denied the opportunity to watch the Brazilian for a longer period of time despite his career being plagued by ailments.
The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia, according to Russian player Magomed Ozdoyev, did not improve the country’s football. Ozdoyev is a member of the Turkish team Fatih Karagumruk, which is presently ranked ninth in the Super Lig standings. The foreign player from Russia joined the team last summer from Zenit St. Petersburg. In 31 appearances across all competitions, he helped Fatih Karagumruk by scoring five goals and dishing out four assists.
Before relocating to Turkey, Ozdoyev received offers from Saudi Arabia as well, according to Sporx. But he has declined to play there. He said “There is not enough professionalism, I will not play there. Ronaldo transferred, and now it is spoken that [Lionel] Messi will sign, but after a few years I can go there”, an article on Sportskeeda reported.
Meanwhile, it’s anticipated that Lionel Messi will depart Paris Saint-Germain this summer on a free transfer. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal has given the Argentine a substantial offer of €400 million per year in anticipation of a future transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Iconic Player’s Controversial Opinion: Ronaldo Misses Out on Top Attacker List
Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario were cited by AC Milan and Italy veteran Paolo Maldini as the two most challenging strikers he faced. Cristiano Ronaldo was highlighted by the former defender, although he thought the two players above were more difficult to deal with.
Maldini said “He and Ronaldo, the Brazilian, are the strongest. I didn’t play against Messi, thank God. CR7 is a great striker, but he has less magic than the other two”, an article on Sportskeeda reported.
Maldini played 14 times against Maradona during his career for club and country, winning five and losing five. He had an even record against Ronaldo Nazario, having faced the Brazilian in nine games and have won, lost, and drawn three times each.
In contrast, the Italian superstar only faced Cristiano Ronaldo three times, winning two and losing one.
Epic Showdown: Ronaldo and Messi Clash in Nine-Goal Thriller
It was an epic showdown in Saudi Arabia where hot shot Cristiano Ronaldo clashed with World Cup winner Lionel Messi that turned out to be a massive 9-goal thriller.
In 2022, it seemed that Ronaldo’s career was on a downturn, particularly after being frequently benched by coach Erik ten Hag. However, after leaving the United, Ronaldo found a new home at Al-Nassr, where he is treated like a true star. And he showed why the Saudi club put their trust in him.
Image Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram page
The special treatment has seemingly reinvigorated Ronaldo, and he has rediscovered the form that made him one of the best players in the world. This was evident in the exhibition match against long-time rival Messi, where both players scored.
Despite the efforts of Ronaldo and Messi, the 10-man Paris Saint-Germain team emerged victorious with a final score of 5-4, thanks to a late goal by Hugo Ekitike.
Football fans across the world received a lot of bang for their buck as a tale that has dominated the sport for more than ten years appeared to come to a close in a memorable goalfest, even though the match may not have much lasting relevance for the clubs involved.
Ronaldo and Messi’s alleged rivalry
The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest soccer players of all time, with a combined total of 12 Ballon d’Or wins, has dominated the sport for over a decade and a half. Fans of the sport often find themselves fiercely supporting one or the other.
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after defeating Croatia 3-0 in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Their rivalry reached its peak during the nine years they competed against each other in Spain, while Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid and Messi for Barcelona.
Their latest encounter at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh was nothing short of thrilling. Ronaldo scored twice, offsetting goals from Messi and Marquinhos in an exciting first half. The match was further intensified by the sending off of PSG’s Juan Bernat for a lunging tackle on Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari.
Both of their fan clubs are insane, especially on Twitter. The fights that they would have about their idols regarding the majority of the Premier League news is shocking. There were times where a transfer deal was going on with a club unrelated to the players, and either a Ronaldo or Messi fan would criticise one or the other.
The picture posted on B/R Football’s Twitter page seems neutral. It shows Ronaldo and Messi shaking hands after a good day’s game over the years and the multiple teams that they were in during the time. It shows that the fans and the media are the ones pitting them against each other.
There was never a comparison, it was only stirred up by corrupt journalists and Bots on SM, Ronaldo was mostly nothing but a tap in merchant, not even close to roben or henry per example, not even top 20 of all time, let alone comparable to #Messi🐐
As fans of the sport, it’s important to recognize that the time for these legends to shine on the field is coming to a close. Instead of continually arguing over who is better, it’s crucial that we take the time to cherish and appreciate the remaining years these players have left.
Many fans have already begun to commemorate this special moment in time, with some creating movie posters to capture the essence of this rivalry. It’s likely that in the future, movies will be made about the lives and legacies of both Ronaldo and Messi, as well as one that specifically highlights their intense rivalry. It’s a moment in history that should be savoured and remembered for years to come.
To no surprise, even positive tweets like this will still attract fans that are vehemently against the other player. One fan managed to even call Messi “Pessi.” Messi fans then posted photos of statistically how he is better than Ronaldo.
Regardless of this, it is understandable that there will be people liking one player more than the other. It is quite normal for everyone who is in the spotlight, regardless of their career. It is especially towards celebrities, to which the both of them are.
However, it’s important to remember that these players are more than just athletes, they are human beings who deserve respect. Using inappropriate language or attacking other fans for supporting them is not acceptable behaviour.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have made an indelible impact on the sport of football and their contributions cannot be replicated. Like Pele and Diego Maradona, they are irreplaceable legends in the history of the sport. It’s important that we recognize and appreciate their achievements rather than resorting to name-calling and divisive behaviour.
The sad passing of Pele has brought up the thought of the two legends in football and their respective achievements. Back then, there could only be one legend at a time, this is a stark contrast to today’s football where we have Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and even David Beckham.
It also needs reminding that Maradona has also sadly passed in the year 2020, at the age of 60-years-old. An era has gone with the passing of these two legends as a number of people grew up looking to them as inspiration to get through the day.
Diego Maradona and Pelé are widely considered two of the greatest soccer players of all time. Both players had successful careers and made significant contributions to the sport.
One key difference between the two players is the time period in which they played.
Pelé played in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, while Maradona played in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. This means that they played in different eras and against different levels of competition.
Their playing style is another key difference between the two legends. Maradona was renowned for his inventiveness and dribbling prowess, but Pelé was known for his technical proficiency and ability to score goals. Pelé was renowned for his sportsmanship and humility, whilst Maradona was known for his tenacity and leadership on the pitch.
Regardless of their differences in era and playing styles, they both have individual separate fan bases that would still hype them up until today.
How many goals has Pele and Maradona scored
(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 8, 1990 Argentinian forward Diego Maradona (C) juggles with the ball as he runs past Cameroon’s Benjamin Massing during the World Cup opening football match between Cameroon and Argentina in Milan. (Photo by DANIEL GARCIA / AFP)
Pelé is widely considered one of the greatest goalscorers in soccer history. During his career, he scored a total of 1279 goals in 1363 games. This includes goals scored in official matches and friendlies.
We have yet to see today’s players to beat that score, depending on the measurements and the different data that are available. However, the closest are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Some are suggesting that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland might come around to the scores of these legends soon.
Maradona also had a successful career and scored a significant number of goals. However, it is difficult to determine an exact number because records of his goals are not complete. According to some sources, Maradona scored a total of 259 goals in club and international matches. However, this number may not include all of his goals, as records from some of his early matches are not available.
It is important to note that the number of goals scored by a player does not necessarily reflect their overall ability or impact on the sport. Both Pelé and Maradona made significant contributions to soccer beyond just their goalscoring record.
The trophies that they won
During Pele’s career, he won numerous trophies and awards, including three FIFA World Cups with the Brazilian national team. At the club level, Pelé won numerous domestic league titles and cups with Santos FC in Brazil.
Maradona also had a successful career and won numerous trophies. With the Argentine national team, he won the FIFA World Cup in 1986, and he also won numerous domestic league titles and cups with clubs in Argentina, Italy, and Spain.
Image of Diego Maradona in 1986, from Wikipedia.
It is important to note that the number of trophies a player has won does not necessarily reflect their overall ability or impact on the sport. Both Pelé and Maradona made significant contributions to soccer beyond their trophy collection.
Were there any rivalries between pele and maradona?
There is some evidence to suggest that Pelé and Maradona had a personal rivalry. For the most part, the two players have spoken highly of each other in the past and have expressed respect for each other’s abilities in a professional manner.
There were numerous times where they might have said certain things in the media about one and another.
Image of Pele in 1968, from Wikipedia.
According to Reuters, one of them was Pele calling Maradona a “bad example” due to his drug addiction back in the day. Another one where Maradona stated about Pele, “As a player he was great… but he thinks politically.”
To sum up, Pele thought Maradona as vulgar and undignified and Maradona thought Pele was a sell-out.
Pelé and Maradona played in different eras, so they did not have the opportunity to face each other in official matches. However, they were both influential figures in the sport of soccer and are often compared to each other due to their status as two of the greatest players in history.
Fans have never lost interest in the classic matchup between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Given that Messi hasn’t scored a hat-trick in a club competition since 2020 and that Ronaldo recently scored a hat-trick for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s followers have been jokingly nudging Messi. The current drama is spiced up even more by the rivalry’s statistical punches.
The Hat-trick and more
Impact of Messi on American Football: Inter Miami’s switch player shines as he helps his team win the League Cup.
Messi’s talent was on display as he scored 10 goals and provided three assists in his 8 appearances for the MLS team.
At age 38, Ronaldo continues to be unstoppable as he leads Al-Nassr to a spectacular 5-0 victory over Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
The rivalry intensifies as supporters of Ronaldo claim that his most recent successes eclipse Messi’s brilliance in the current battle.
August 25, Marvel: Ronaldo keeps up his remarkable on-field performance, demonstrating his unwavering desire.
With a brilliant backheel ball that helped Sadio Mane score in the 27th minute and his own goal in the 38th, Cristiano Ronaldo ignited the scoring extravaganza. Ten minutes into the second half, he skillfully scored once more. Mane mimicked Ronaldo’s ‘SIU’ celebration with a chic header in the 81st minute, extending the display of excellence. A breathtaking exhibition of talent and cooperation that will stay in the memory. With Ronaldo’s hat-trick in the bags, fans are asking what is Messi doing.
Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Thomas Muller has an opinion
In the midst of the heated argument, Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich has made it obvious that he prefers Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo. Muller praised Messi’s extraordinary ability to combine grace and efficacy in his interview with DAZN, stressing the Argentine’s exceptional football skill.
“Who is the greatest of all time? The GOAT for me is Messi because he makes people say ‘I go to the stadium because of his elegance and at the same time he is very effective in scoring goals and achieving records and titles.” An article from sportskeeda.com shared
Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami while Cristiano Ronaldo shines for Al-Nassr in the world of football, where greatness is defined by brilliance. But for Muller, the debate over who is the greatest player ever goes beyond statistics and includes football as art. With his skill, Messi embodies this artistic essence and transforms the game into a mesmerising masterpiece where every play is an act of genius that transcends the pitch. Can one more hat-trick settle the debate?
The fight between fanclubs of the two biggest football rivals just got a new ball of fire in their gas tank. Apparently, the former Barcelona player Gerard Pique made a statement saying that he always liked Cristiano Ronaldo better than Lionel Messi.
The former centre-back has done a number of accomplishments himself as he had a long and wonderful football career, retiring at the age of 35-years-old. The handsome Spaniard represented his home country 102 times since he joined in 2009.
Furthermore, he played an important part in winning for Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He joined Manchester United in 2004, which is where Cristiano Ronaldo is currently at but since he joined them at a young age, there were no purchase fees.
Gerard Pique’s alleged statement was, “Now that I’m no longer at Barcelona I can easily say Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player ever. He’s always been better than Messi.”
Fan viewpoints about Pique’s “statement”
On a Facebook fan page, the statement was uploaded garnering thousands of engagements from fans. He got some backlash there as fans stated “I think you need to see a doctor” and provided the facts which were, Messi has 41 trophies, 7 ballon d’ors and 6 golden boots.
Manchester United’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on October 30, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Messi is no mean feat when compared to Ronaldo, and others were saying that Pique has no right to judge the Argentinian. Others who dislike Ronaldo went on a rampage bashing both the Portuguese and the Spaniard.
In this file photo taken on September 27, 2022 Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the international friendly football match between Argentina and Jamaica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Andres Kudacki / AFP)
Fans were also claiming that the post was “fake news” and that Pique did not actually say that. However, he has played with both players in his entire career, firstly during his time at Manchester United with Ronaldo and next in Barcelona with Messi.
On Twitter, the bashing of Ronaldo proceeded. Messi fans were “triggered” , a term that the Gen-Zs frequently use. They claim that Ronald fans would always make fake quotes from prominent figures to prove that Ronaldo is the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T).
A new term has been coined for Ronaldo fans which are “penaldogs.” It seems a little disrespectful to the award winning Portuguese player.
It appears that the statement is a hoax, and currently there are no verifiable news sources that are talking about this. However, there are news reports of Pique talking about both players in an equal light.
Pique’s actual statement
According to GiveMeSports, Pique did make a statement about both legends, and he was still skewed towards Ronaldo.
“I think that they are both amazing,” Pique stated. “We are talking about two of the best players, not just in the world but the history of this sport.”
“I always said that Messi has some talent that no one else has. I mean, he has the ball and his speed controlling the ball. The ball doesn’t go two metres far from his foot, it’s always there. It’s impossible to catch him, this talent I didn’t see from anyone.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is such a different player, they are very different. He is tall, strong, and he’s really complete. He can do anything. He can score goals with the head, free-kicks, penalties, and take one on one.
“But for me it’s like Messi is not human but Cristiano is the best of the humans.”
