Casemiro has seemingly conceded that Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo, despite having played alongside the latter at both Real Madrid and Manchester United. The debate over who reigns supreme between the two football titans has been a hot topic for nearly two decades, and while Messi’s 2022 World Cup victory may have tipped the scales for some, the rivalry remains an eternal discussion point.
However, Casemiro’s recent remarks are quite telling, especially since he has every reason to be in Ronaldo’s corner. During an interview with Diario AS, when quizzed about who he believed was superior, Casemiro didn’t hesitate to laud Messi.
“I could never stop him on my own,” admitted the United midfielder. “It was impossible. I needed help from Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos… but just me, impossible. He was unstoppable.”
Nonetheless, the Brazilian was quick to place Messi and Ronaldo in the same bracket, asserting that the level they’ve maintained for such an extended period is unparalleled. “It’s difficult to explain,” he said.
“Messi was one of the best players in history, but we had another player, Cristiano Ronaldo. What they both did is unrepeatable. In my generation the best were Cristiano, Messi… they did a lot for football and they changed it.
“Just like [Pep] Guardiola changed football with the tiki-taka, these two changed it too. 50 goals a season and it seemed like something normal. Those two players will stay in our memories.”
It comes in the wake of Ronaldo’s bold claim that he’s the “most complete” footballer of all time. “Who’s the best goal scorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop,” the Portuguese icon confidently told Spanish TV show El Chiringuito.
“Who’s the player in history who’s scored most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks? I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I’m in the top 10 goal scorers with their left foot in history. And with my head, and with my right foot, and penalties. All of them.”
He added: “I’m talking about numbers. I think I’m the most complete player to have ever played the game. In my opinion, I think it’s me. I excel in every aspect of football: headers, free kicks, left foot. I have speed, strength.
“One thing is taste – if you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that. But saying Ronaldo isn’t complete… I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart.”
Casemiro first teamed up with Ronaldo at Real Madrid back in 2013, when he arrived from Sao Paolo. Messi’s Barcelona dominated La Liga domestically over the following few years, but Los Blancos had the upper hand in Europe, clinching a historic trio of Champions League titles consecutively from 2016 to 2018.
Following their third victory, Ronaldo departed for Juventus, but he reunited with Casemiro at Old Trafford in 2022. However, their reunion was short-lived due to a falling out between Ronaldo and new United manager Erik ten Hag, which led to the forward’s exit just a few months into the 2022/23 season.
Throughout his illustrious 15-year career, Casemiro has gone head-to-head with Messi 20 times, whether it be against Barcelona, Argentina or PSG. Out of these encounters, Casemiro’s team emerged victorious eight times, as did Messi’s team, with four matches ending in a draw.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk