'We spent years with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – it's obvious who's the best'

Angel Di Maria and Gerard Pique agree that Lionel Messi is the greatest the game has ever seen, not Cristiano Ronaldo. A debate that has raged on for years and encompasses fans, managers and players alike is which of the two icons is football’s all-time great.

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

Both Pique – who was in the same Manchester United squad as him – and Di Maria – who was his team-mate in Madrid for four years from 2010 until 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 to any other player.”

Messi’s Qatar World Cup, which evidently sticks firmly 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 title.

Though Di Maria lifted a Champions League and La Liga with Ronaldo, his decision remains unwavering, in similar vein to former La Blaugrana defender Pique.

“Messi has always been different from the others,” Pique told AS. “Cristiano is the best of humans, but Leo is an alien. He doesn’t belong on this planet.

“I saw him training every day doing incredible things. There will never be another player with his speed of thought and the same determination. He arrived at 13 and played the same way both in the youth team and with the first team.”

Pique and Messi combined for three Champions League crowns and a whopping eight Spanish league titles – three of which came under current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

“We had incredible talents, but the most extraordinary thing 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 homegrown.

“We had always known each other, and everything was natural. On a tactical and strategic level he is a genius, he knows how to read games, predict how they will end, he gives you the necessary tools to counterattack and defend.

“And when it comes to transmitting the motivational message he is unbeatable. He keeps the concentration high for years.”