Former Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho has praised Lionel Messi as “the best of his era” but insists the Argentine icon can not be regarded as the greatest of all time, Soccernet.football reports.
Instead, Ronaldinho suggests that title could go to legends like Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, and Pele.
Ronaldinho had a glittering career, winning the World Cup, Champions League, and several domestic titles. He played for clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan, sharing the field with many top players, including Iniesta, Xavi, and Messi.
Messi broke into the Barcelona team when Ronaldinho was at his peak. The two played together from 2004 to 2008, during which time Messi began to shine. Although Ronaldinho left Barcelona for AC Milan before Messi’s peak, the two remained close friends.
Over the past two decades, Messi and Portugal’s megastar Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated conversations regarding who is the greatest players of the time.
However, Ronaldinho believes none of the legendary duo comes close to outshining Brazil greats Pele and Ronaldo, as well as Argentina icon Maradona.
In a recent interview with Spanish outlet Marca as per GiveMeSport, Ronaldinho said, “I can’t say Messi is the best ever, but he is the best of his time. There was Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo… it’s hard to say that Messi is the best throughout the history of football.”
Ronaldinho played with Brazilian legend Ronaldo, with the two playing crucial roles in winning the 2002 FIFA World Cuo.
The former AC Milan playmaker did not play with Maradona but he admired the Napoli legend greatly. Pele, who played before Ronaldinho’s time, also holds a legendary status in Brazil that Ronaldinho respects.
https://www.givemesport.com/ronaldinho-played-with-lionel-messi-but-three-legends-were-better/
Ronaldo, Maradona, and Pele are better than Messi – Ronaldinho
Source:
GiveMeSport
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