“We spent years with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – it's obvious who is better”

Angel Di Maria and Gerard Pique agree that Lionel Messi is the best the game has ever seen, not Cristiano Ronaldo. A debate that has raged for years and involves fans, managers and players is which of the two icons is the greatest footballer of all time.

While many share their views from the periphery, this duo experienced first-hand the power of both. The two former Real Madrid and Barcelona stars have each played alongside Ronaldo and Messi, with Di Maria also outfitting the latter for Argentina, meaning their opinions are more than reputable.

Pique – who was in the same Manchester United team as him – and Di Maria – who was his teammate at Madrid for four years from 2010 to 2014 – snubbed Ronaldo.

“For me, Messi and Cristiano are the two best players in history,” Di Maria, who won the 2022 World Cup alongside his compatriot, admitted to Clank Media. “But it is obvious that Leo has no comparison with any other player.”

Messi's World Cup in Qatar, which obviously remains firmly etched in Di Maria's mind, was one for the ages. The 37-year-old became the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final, ending his campaign with seven goals and a player of the tournament award.

Although Di Maria won the Champions League and La Liga with Ronaldo, his decision remains steadfast, in the same vein as former Blaugrana defender Pique.

“Messi has always been different from others,” Pique told AS. “Cristiano is the best human, but Leo is an alien. He has no place on this planet.

“I saw him training every day doing incredible things. There will never be another player with his quick thinking and the same determination. He arrived at 13 and played equally well in both the youth team and the first team.

Pique and Messi have won three Champions League crowns and eight Spanish league titles, three of them under current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

“We had incredible talents, but the most extraordinary was the combination with Pep,” Pique continued. “We came together, me as a player and him as a coach. There was Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Busquets, all local.

“We had known each other forever and everything was natural. Tactically and strategically he is a genius, he knows how to read matches, predict how they will end, he gives you the tools to counterattack and defend.

“And when it comes to delivering the motivational message, he’s unbeatable.” It maintains high concentration for years.