Read on Twitter
Thread of all professional players and managers that have had their say on the Messi/Ronaldo debate. (With a score count on the at the end of every tweet).
Note - Any player/manager that has stated that both of them are the best will not be added on the score count.
Note - Any player/manager that has stated that both of them are the best will not be added on the score count.
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City Manager):
“With all respect to all the players, first to Cristiano Ronaldo — congratulations to him for the award — I think Messi is on another level.”
“We’re lucky to live in his time as he is the best player of all time.”
Messi: 1
Ronaldo: 0
“With all respect to all the players, first to Cristiano Ronaldo — congratulations to him for the award — I think Messi is on another level.”
“We’re lucky to live in his time as he is the best player of all time.”
Messi: 1
Ronaldo: 0
Sir Alex Ferguson (Former Manchester United Manager):
“Messi is a Barcelona player. But Ronaldo can play for Stockport and score a hat-trick. He has everything, he can shoot with both feet, head the ball, he’s as brave as a lion.”
Messi: 1
Ronaldo: 1
“Messi is a Barcelona player. But Ronaldo can play for Stockport and score a hat-trick. He has everything, he can shoot with both feet, head the ball, he’s as brave as a lion.”
Messi: 1
Ronaldo: 1
Fabio Capello (Former Player/Manager):
“It's one thing to be an outsider, and another thing, to be a genius. The difference is enormous, since a genius does what nobody imagines. Ronaldo is an extraordinary footballer, but Messi is a genius.”
Messi: 2
Ronaldo: 1
“It's one thing to be an outsider, and another thing, to be a genius. The difference is enormous, since a genius does what nobody imagines. Ronaldo is an extraordinary footballer, but Messi is a genius.”
Messi: 2
Ronaldo: 1
Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid Manager):
“If you have the chance to sign one of them for a normal club, with normal players, Ronaldo would probably fit in better. But with Messi, surrounded by great players, Messi is better than Ronaldo.”
Messi: 3
Ronaldo: 1
“If you have the chance to sign one of them for a normal club, with normal players, Ronaldo would probably fit in better. But with Messi, surrounded by great players, Messi is better than Ronaldo.”
Messi: 3
Ronaldo: 1
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool Manager):
“For me Messi, but I couldn’t admire Ronaldo more than I do already.”
“Messi is probably the best player I have seen in my life.”
Messi: 4
Ronaldo: 1
“For me Messi, but I couldn’t admire Ronaldo more than I do already.”
“Messi is probably the best player I have seen in my life.”
Messi: 4
Ronaldo: 1
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid Manager):
“Cristiano is the best. Messi is his rival and it's the rivalry everyone wants to see.”
“But Ronaldo is phenomenal. There are no words to describe him. He's the greatest of all time.”
Messi: 4
Ronaldo: 2
“Cristiano is the best. Messi is his rival and it's the rivalry everyone wants to see.”
“But Ronaldo is phenomenal. There are no words to describe him. He's the greatest of all time.”
Messi: 4
Ronaldo: 2
Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Manager):
“I think it’s unfair to both of them when somebody says this one is better than the other one. I think they are just different.”
“When you go to Messi and Ronaldo, I think it’s just unfair to compare the players.”
Messi: 4
Ronaldo: 2
“I think it’s unfair to both of them when somebody says this one is better than the other one. I think they are just different.”
“When you go to Messi and Ronaldo, I think it’s just unfair to compare the players.”
Messi: 4
Ronaldo: 2
Joachim Low (Germany Manager):
“I would stick with Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo is sensational, a very good professional, an incredible goalscoring machine for many years, but Messi is the most complete player I have seen.”
Messi: 5
Ronaldo: 2
“I would stick with Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo is sensational, a very good professional, an incredible goalscoring machine for many years, but Messi is the most complete player I have seen.”
Messi: 5
Ronaldo: 2
Arsene Wenger (Former Arsenal Manager):
“Who is the best player of all time?”
“Lionel Messi.”
Messi: 6
Ronaldo: 2
“Who is the best player of all time?”
“Lionel Messi.”
Messi: 6
Ronaldo: 2
Vicente Del Bosque (Former Spain Manager):
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“I'm staying with Messi. Even so, Cristiano has extraordinary courage, with physical and technical conditions as a great scorer, but I'm staying with Messi."
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 2
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“I'm staying with Messi. Even so, Cristiano has extraordinary courage, with physical and technical conditions as a great scorer, but I'm staying with Messi."
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 2
Harry Redknapp (Former Birmingham Manager):
“I’m Ronaldo over Messi. I love both of them but I’m Ronaldo. Ronaldo, he’s done it on the world stage, he’s won everything, he’s just incredible.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 3
“I’m Ronaldo over Messi. I love both of them but I’m Ronaldo. Ronaldo, he’s done it on the world stage, he’s won everything, he’s just incredible.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 3
Stefano Pioli (AC Milan Manager):
“I think Cristiano Ronaldo is superior to Lionel Messi, he’s had more goals than matches he’s played.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 4
“I think Cristiano Ronaldo is superior to Lionel Messi, he’s had more goals than matches he’s played.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 4
Marcelo Lippi (Former China Manager):
“There isn’t anyone else that could increase a team’s yield as much as Cristiano, he’s the best player in the world.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 5
“There isn’t anyone else that could increase a team’s yield as much as Cristiano, he’s the best player in the world.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 5
Carlo Ancelotti (Everton Manager):
“I’ve seen Ronaldo play a lot of times, of course, but when you’re up close every day his technical skills are unbelievable. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 6
“I’ve seen Ronaldo play a lot of times, of course, but when you’re up close every day his technical skills are unbelievable. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
Messi: 7
Ronaldo: 6
Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund Player):
“Who’s the best player of all time?”
“Lionel Messi.”
Messi: 8
Ronaldo: 6
“Who’s the best player of all time?”
“Lionel Messi.”
Messi: 8
Ronaldo: 6
Raul (Former Real Madrid Player):
“I was lucky enough to play with Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Cristiano.. but Messi is different; he makes everything look so easy, so effortless – even the impossible.”
Messi: 9
Ronaldo: 6
“I was lucky enough to play with Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Cristiano.. but Messi is different; he makes everything look so easy, so effortless – even the impossible.”
Messi: 9
Ronaldo: 6
Paolo Dybala (Juventus Player):
“It is impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best. They are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years.”
Messi: 9
Ronaldo: 6
“It is impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best. They are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years.”
Messi: 9
Ronaldo: 6
Angel Di Maria (PSG Player):
“With all the great players I have played with, it's hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be Leo.
“Messi is the best in the world – there is no question about that.”
Messi: 10
Ronaldo: 6
“With all the great players I have played with, it's hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be Leo.
“Messi is the best in the world – there is no question about that.”
Messi: 10
Ronaldo: 6
Gabriel Heinze (Former Velez Sarsfield Manager):
“If I had to pay for one player I would choose Ronaldo.”
“I don’t think Cristiano will get any better as a footballer, he is already next to God in his ability.”
Messi: 10
Ronaldo: 7
“If I had to pay for one player I would choose Ronaldo.”
“I don’t think Cristiano will get any better as a footballer, he is already next to God in his ability.”
Messi: 10
Ronaldo: 7
Fernando Gago (Velez Sarsfield Player):
“For me Ronaldo is not the best. For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches.”
“Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.”
Messi: 11
Ronaldo: 7
“For me Ronaldo is not the best. For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches.”
“Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.”
Messi: 11
Ronaldo: 7
Ezequiel Garay (Valencia Player):
“When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo.”
“From the first time I saw him with Argentina Under-15s to this day he continues to amaze me. He has no limit.”
Messi: 12
Ronaldo: 7
“When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo.”
“From the first time I saw him with Argentina Under-15s to this day he continues to amaze me. He has no limit.”
Messi: 12
Ronaldo: 7
Luis Enrique (Spain Manager):
“Messi is not just the best player in the world, but he is the best player in history, although I respect the opinions of others and try not to compare him with any other player."
Messi: 13
Ronaldo: 7
“Messi is not just the best player in the world, but he is the best player in history, although I respect the opinions of others and try not to compare him with any other player."
Messi: 13
Ronaldo: 7
Gary Lineker (Former Player):
“I am a huge fan of Ronaldo too, but if you're talking about the best player ever, there shouldn't even be a debate that it is Messi. That's just my opinion, but it's not even close for me."
Messi: 14
Ronaldo: 7
“I am a huge fan of Ronaldo too, but if you're talking about the best player ever, there shouldn't even be a debate that it is Messi. That's just my opinion, but it's not even close for me."
Messi: 14
Ronaldo: 7
Rafa Benitez (Dalian Professional Manager):
“There is no debate, Ronaldo is the best in the world. I have great admiration for him."
Messi: 14
Ronaldo: 8
“There is no debate, Ronaldo is the best in the world. I have great admiration for him."
Messi: 14
Ronaldo: 8
Zlatan Ibrahimović (AC Milan Player):
“I think Messi is one of a kind. What he’s doing, I don’t know if we will see another player do the things that he does. I had the luck to see him every day and I saw what he was doing everyday.”
Messi: 15
Ronaldo: 8
“I think Messi is one of a kind. What he’s doing, I don’t know if we will see another player do the things that he does. I had the luck to see him every day and I saw what he was doing everyday.”
Messi: 15
Ronaldo: 8
Diego Maradona (Gimnasia Manager):
“Messi or Ronaldo? One word.”
“Messi.”
Messi: 16
Ronaldo: 8
“Messi or Ronaldo? One word.”
“Messi.”
Messi: 16
Ronaldo: 8
Eden Hazard (Real Madrid Player):
“Of course, when you are playing football you want to play against the best. The best team, the best players in the world. Messi is the best player in the world."
Messi: 17
Ronaldo: 8
“Of course, when you are playing football you want to play against the best. The best team, the best players in the world. Messi is the best player in the world."
Messi: 17
Ronaldo: 8
Paul Scholes (Former Player):
"I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo – and the greatest of them all is Messi."
Messi: 18
Ronaldo: 8
"I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo – and the greatest of them all is Messi."
Messi: 18
Ronaldo: 8
Dimitar Berbatov (Former Player):
“Messi is the fucking greatest. Ronaldo is brilliant, Messi more my kind of player. He sees the game so clearly. He can score, create, he's the complete player, the best ever probably.”
Messi: 19
Ronaldo: 8
“Messi is the fucking greatest. Ronaldo is brilliant, Messi more my kind of player. He sees the game so clearly. He can score, create, he's the complete player, the best ever probably.”
Messi: 19
Ronaldo: 8
David Beckham (Former Player):
“They can have similarities in their technical skills, and it is hallucinating for football to have them both present, but Messi is simply the best player in the world. It is impossible that there is another like him.”
Messi: 20
Ronaldo: 8
“They can have similarities in their technical skills, and it is hallucinating for football to have them both present, but Messi is simply the best player in the world. It is impossible that there is another like him.”
Messi: 20
Ronaldo: 8
Xavi (Al Sadd Manager):
“Messi is the best. If Cristiano considers himself the best player in history, that's fine, but those of us who see him train, there is no comparison. Messi is the best in history and we don't see it any other way.”
Messi: 21
Ronaldo: 8
“Messi is the best. If Cristiano considers himself the best player in history, that's fine, but those of us who see him train, there is no comparison. Messi is the best in history and we don't see it any other way.”
Messi: 21
Ronaldo: 8
Roberto Carlos (Former Player):
“He is looking to improve everyday. That's the difference with Leo. Leo is a phenomenon, but that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success.. Cristiano has an advantage over all the others."
Messi: 21
Ronaldo: 9
“He is looking to improve everyday. That's the difference with Leo. Leo is a phenomenon, but that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success.. Cristiano has an advantage over all the others."
Messi: 21
Ronaldo: 9
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich Player):
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“Messi.”
Messi: 22
Ronaldo: 9
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“Messi.”
Messi: 22
Ronaldo: 9
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich Player):
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“Messi.”
Messi: 23
Ronaldo: 9
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“Messi.”
Messi: 23
Ronaldo: 9
Ronaldo Nazario (Former Player):
“Messi is out of this world. Cristiano, too, but I see Leo as more complete.”
"He's great. I like him much more than any other player. Everything he does is spectacular."
Messi: 24
Ronaldo: 9
“Messi is out of this world. Cristiano, too, but I see Leo as more complete.”
"He's great. I like him much more than any other player. Everything he does is spectacular."
Messi: 24
Ronaldo: 9
Neymar (PSG Player):
“Of those I've seen play, Messi is the best in history.”
Messi: 25
Ronaldo: 9
“Of those I've seen play, Messi is the best in history.”
Messi: 25
Ronaldo: 9
Wayne Rooney (Derby County Player):
“Ronaldo is ruthless in the box, a killer. But Messi will torture you before he kills you.”
“For me, Messi is the best ever.”
Messi: 26
Ronaldo: 9
“Ronaldo is ruthless in the box, a killer. But Messi will torture you before he kills you.”
“For me, Messi is the best ever.”
Messi: 26
Ronaldo: 9
Marcelo (Real Madrid Player):
“You can't say who's better. I played with Cristiano for 10 years and the motivation he gives you is unique. You think Messi is under control, then out of nowhere he scores a goal."
Messi: 26
Ronaldo: 9
“You can't say who's better. I played with Cristiano for 10 years and the motivation he gives you is unique. You think Messi is under control, then out of nowhere he scores a goal."
Messi: 26
Ronaldo: 9
Steven Gerrard (Rangers Manager):
“Messi for me is more of a team player. If he's in on goal, he'll look for a pass, as well as obviously posting really, really good numbers individually as well.”
“For me, Lionel Messi is the best in the world.”
Messi: 27
Ronaldo: 9
“Messi for me is more of a team player. If he's in on goal, he'll look for a pass, as well as obviously posting really, really good numbers individually as well.”
“For me, Lionel Messi is the best in the world.”
Messi: 27
Ronaldo: 9
Gerard Pique (Barcelona Player)
“For me, Messi is not human while Cristiano is the best of the humans.”
“Messi is the best player in history.”
Messi: 28
Ronaldo: 9
“For me, Messi is not human while Cristiano is the best of the humans.”
“Messi is the best player in history.”
Messi: 28
Ronaldo: 9
Thierry Henry (Montreal Impact Manager):
“Who’s the best player in the world in your opinion?”
“I would go with Leo. But I respect Cristiano alot.”
Messi: 29
Ronaldo: 9
“Who’s the best player in the world in your opinion?”
“I would go with Leo. But I respect Cristiano alot.”
Messi: 29
Ronaldo: 9
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus Player):
“I would say that the best player at the moment is Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Messi: 29
Ronaldo: 10
“I would say that the best player at the moment is Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Messi: 29
Ronaldo: 10
Luka Modric (Real Madrid Player):
“I don’t like to compare them. But for us, since we are Real Madrid, Cristiano is the best.”
Messi: 29
Ronaldo: 11
“I don’t like to compare them. But for us, since we are Real Madrid, Cristiano is the best.”
Messi: 29
Ronaldo: 11
Robin Van Persie (Former Player):
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“I would go for Messi. But it’s a very difficult call.”
Messi: 30
Ronaldo: 11
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
“I would go for Messi. But it’s a very difficult call.”
Messi: 30
Ronaldo: 11
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid Player):
“Cristiano Ronaldo is, for me, the best player in the world. He’s a massive factor into why I decided to come to Real Madrid.”
Messi: 30
Ronaldo: 12
“Cristiano Ronaldo is, for me, the best player in the world. He’s a massive factor into why I decided to come to Real Madrid.”
Messi: 30
Ronaldo: 12
