For years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have defined world football with their fierce rivalry. Even as both icons approach the final phase of their careers, debates over who stands taller continue to dominate the sport.
Di Maria Weighs In on Footballโs Greatest Rivalry
Angel Di Maria, who has shared the pitch with both superstars, recently offered his perspective in an interview with Spanish outlet AS. While he praised Messiโs natural brilliance, he highlighted Ronaldoโs unmatched professionalism and relentless drive.
โ๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐,โ ๐ซ๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ . โ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.โ
Professionalism vs Natural Genius
Di Maria recalled his years alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid, between 2010 and 2014, where he witnessed the Portuguese forwardโs intense work ethic firsthand. He described Ronaldo as the ultimate example of discipline, dedication, and constant self-improvement.
โ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐,โ ๐ซ๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ . โ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐.โ
Messi, now 38, holds a record eight Ballon dโOr awards and capped his legacy with a World Cup triumph in Qatar. Ronaldo, chasing the milestone of 1,000 career goals, has five Ballon dโOr titles and a trophy-filled club career, though a World Cup crown remains elusive.
Di Maria, who retired from international football after lifting the 2024 Copa America, believes fans are witnessing the final chapters of an era, with both legends expected to make their last World Cup appearance in 2026.