‘The difference is so big’ – Ángel Di Maria on why Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid star Ángel Di Maria has this week weighed in on the GOAT debate, revealing his opinion that Lionel Messi trumps Cristiano Ronaldo, and by some way.

Attacker Di Maria, for his part, is one of a small pool of players to have been able to call both Messi and Ronaldo teammates over the course of his career.

The Argentine lined out alongside the former throughout his international career, and the latter across a shared four-year stint with Real Madrid.

And Di Maria enjoyed great success with both, securing a pair of Copa América titles and a World Cup alongside Messi, as well as six trophies as a teammate of Ronaldo in Madrid.

Safe to say, then, that the 36-year-old is in a good position to weigh in on the long-running GOAT debate between the pair.

And Di Maria is in absolutely no two minds when it comes to as much, adamant that Messi is ‘by far’ the greatest to have ever graced the pitch:

“I’ve always said the same thing – they are the two best in history,” the Benfica man started during an interview with Clank’s Juan Pablo Varsky. ”But it’s obvious that the best, by far, is Leo. It’s not just because of the eight Ballon d’Or awards he’s won, but because of everything else. Cristiano is about work, work and work. But Messi, he’s pure talent, a gift from God. He doesn’t need to do anything extra to be the best.

“Cristiano had to train hard, spend hours in the gym, perfect his finishing, and always push himself. But Leo, it’s like he’s just playing with friends. That’s why the difference between them is so big. Leo is unmatched.”

Conor Laird – GSFN