Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who world’s top managers picked as greatest ever

The age-old debate of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo has been a point of contention for football enthusiasts worldwide for the better part of two decades, but what’s the stance of the game’s elite managers on this topic? For years, football aficionados have been staunchly divided into two factions.

There are those who admire the magical technical skills and artistry of Messi, and others who are in awe of the goal-scoring machine and athletic force that is Ronaldo. This polarising discussion has been known to strain even the strongest of bonds among fans.

Yet, it’s not just the supporters who find themselves at odds over this; professionals within the industry have also voiced their preferences. While some opinions might be influenced by personal experiences with either superstar, Express Sport delves into what top-tier managers think about the enduring Messi vs Ronaldo saga.

Sir Alex Ferguson

It’s hardly surprising that Sir Alex Ferguson, iconic former manager of Manchester United, leans towards Ronaldo, considering he played a pivotal role in catapulting the Portuguese star to global acclaim, reports the Mirror.

In a 2016 interview with Sports Illustrated, Ferguson expressed his admiration for both players but highlighted a key difference: “Now don’t get me wrong, Messi is a fantastic player; it’s like he’s wearing slippers when he controls the ball. But here, for me, is the difference. Messi is a Barcelona player.

“But Ronaldo could play for Stockport County and score a hat trick. He has everything. He can shoot with both feet, head the ball, and he’s as brave as a lion.”

Pep Guardiola

Another manager whose choice is far from surprising, Pep Guardiola, the current Manchester City boss, has chosen to side with Lionel Messi.

While Frank Rijkaard was responsible for introducing Messi to Barcelona’s first team, it was Guardiola who transformed him into the historical figure who notched up 91 goals in a calendar year and secured Spainish football’s inaugural treble in 2009.

Guardiola lavished praise on Messi in a chat with ESPN in 2016: “Messi is the best, he is definitely the best. He knows how to play, score and make the other players play. He is always there. With all the respect to all the players, first to Cristiano Ronaldo – congratulations to him for the award – I think Messi is on another level.”

Zinedine Zidane

Yet another managerial heavyweight who has had the privilege of managing one of these footballing icons, Zinedine Zidane returned as Real Madrid’s head coach in 2016.

Under his tutelage and with Ronaldo’s prowess on the pitch, Zidane led the Spanish giants to a trio of Champions League victories, along with a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey trophy before his departure in 2018 – coinciding with Ronaldo’s move to Juventus.

At the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2017, Zidane paid his own tribute to Ronaldo’s success at Madrid: “There have been many players who have made history at this club [Real Madrid]. But nobody has done what he [Ronaldo] has – the statistics speak for that. What he has done is impressive. So I think yes [he is the best in history].”

Diego Simeone

Someone who has felt the onslaught of both football juggernauts, instead of the joy of managing them, is Diego Simeone. The Atletico Madrid boss found himself inevitably siding with fellow Argentine Lionel Messi, a choice less shocking when considering Cristiano Ronaldo’s ties to rival club Real Madrid.

Simeone, steering the ship at Atletico since 2011, has worked wonders in the Spanish capital, seizing an improbable pair of La Liga crowns. However, repeatedly outmanoeuvred by Messi’s Barcelona and struck down twice by Ronaldo’s Real in Champions League finals, the mere mention of these virtuosos likely sends shivers down his spine.

“If I had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo, then most likely I would choose Messi,” Simeone stated in 2018, however. “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.”

Jurgen Klopp

The charismatic long-time Liverpool manager who has also faced the brunt of these titans’ prowesshis allegiance seems firmly in the court of Messi.

Jurgen Klopp’s side fell victim to Champions League final defeats in 2018 and 2022, the former seeing them falter against Ronaldo. Yet, this did little to sway the opinionated German.

During a Q&A at an LFC Foundation event, when probed about the eternal debate, Klopp disclosed: “I have one selfie on my smartphone. That’s with Messi. Cristiano was in the room, as well..”

Fabio Capello

The Former England boss, who had left Real Madrid two years prior to Ronaldo’s 2009 arrival, revealed his preference between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, opting for the Argentine maestro due to his creative brilliance and footballing intuition.

Having taken up the reins at sides like Juventus, AC Milan, and Roma, Fabio Capello offered a definitive perspective in an interview with Marca.

“It’s one thing to be an outsider and another thing to be a genius,” he stated. “The difference is enormous since a genius does what nobody imagines. Ronaldo is an extraordinary footballer, but Messi is a genius.”

Wayne Rooney

Though not yet classified among the world’s elite managers, Wayne Rooney, currently at the reins of Plymouth Argyle, brings a unique view to the enduring debate.

His five-season partnership with Ronaldo at United and numerous encounters with Messi in the Champions League did not colour his judgment. Rooney, casting aside club loyalties, favoured Messi over his former colleague.

On the Pardon My Take podcast, when quizzed on his choice, Rooney responded confidently: “Messi,” and detailed his reasoning: “I think I’ve said this before, but they’re both probably the best two players to ever play the game. I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest ever.”