“I won the Ballon d’Or – I know the greatest player of all time, after Ronaldo and Messi”

Rodri says Lionel Messi is superior to Cristiano Ronaldo in the eternal football debate. Since his move to Manchester City from Pep Guardiola in 2019, Rodri has skyrocketed, winning four Premier League titles in a row, adding four more domestic trophies to his cabinet and winning the Champions League.

Rodri has played a pivotal role in City's stunning success, as evidenced by him winning the Ballon d'Or this year for his outstanding performances. Despite a successful career so far, the current season has dealt a major blow to Rodri. A serious anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in a match against Arsenal in September kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season, negatively impacting City's performances without him on the pitch.

While Rodri's prowess is undeniable, he falls outside of the 'greatest of all time' discussion centered around Messi and Ronaldo. However, Rodri did not hesitate to intervene on this subject. Speaking to El Hormiguero, a Spanish television show, he made his position clear, saying: “I have no doubt, Messi,” before adding: “At the end of the day, I always say it, Cristiano has managed to match Messi in many areas, perhaps without Leo's innate talent,” reports the Mirror.

“Those of us who play against them immediately notice the difference. In Cristiano's case, you didn't want him to go into the box. When he did, he was deadly. But Messi was dangerous everywhere on the pitch When Messi got the ball, we would say “danger, something is going to happen, but I don’t know what”.

“I remember when I started playing against him at 17-18 years old; he would dodge me like a bullfighter if I tried to take the ball from him. Right or left, it didn't matter .I had a feeling something bad was going to happen.” During his career, Rodri has faced both superstars on several occasions, seemingly having an easier time with Ronaldo with four wins, three draws and only three defeats from ten clashes.

On the other hand, Messi has always had the upper hand over Rodri, with the latter only having one win out of eight encounters, accompanied by two draws, and being on the losing side five times. At 37, Messi, whose achievements in football are legendary, continues to defy the sands of time.

After kicking off his journey with Barcelona B in 2003, Messi quickly joined Barcelona's first team the following year. During an illustrious 18-year spell on the Camp Nou pitch, he amassed 672 goals and 303 assists in 708 appearances, winning 10 La Liga crowns, 14 domestic awards and four Champions League triumphs.

Messi transferred to PSG in 2021, spending two years in the French capital before joining Inter Miami in 2023, where he remains under contract until December next year. His illustrious career has seen him win eight Ballon d'Or awards.

On the other hand, Ronaldo began his career at Sporting CP before being spotted and signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United in 2003. He spent six successful years in the northwest, winning three Premier League titles, four national cups and a Champions League. before joining Real Madrid in 2009.

With five Ballon d'Or awards, Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, made a triumphant return to Manchester United in 2021, then signed with Saudi side Al-Nassr in 2023. Even at 39, he continues to dazzle on the field.