Earlier this week, Sir Alex Ferguson explained why, in his opinion, Cristiano Ronaldo is a little bit better than Lionel Messi.
The Manchester United legend who, let’s face it, is biased due to his previous working relationship with the Portuguese superstar, explained that while Messi “is very much a Barcelona player”, Ronaldo could “play for Stockport County and he’d still bang in hat-tricks most weeks.”
So that’s Fergie, there, assuming five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi would struggle to score goals in the sixth tier of English football.
David Beckham was asked the sameQUESTION
in an interview with Spanish magazine XL Samanal this week: Cristiano or Messi?
in an interview with Spanish magazine XL Samanal this week: Cristiano or Messi?
Always keen to steer clear of controversy, Beckham produced a typically diplomatic response
BECKHAM ANSWERS MESSI OR RONALDO QUESTION
"That debate doesn't make much sense to me,” the former England captain was quoted as saying by AS. “They're both unique, a bit like Zidane in his day, once in a generation players, we'll remember having Messi and Cristiano together! At the same time!
“Nobody has got to that level and stayed there for so long. Anyone who knows them always underlines their will to keep getting better, they want to be the best."
One suspects this is a debate that won’t stop when the two superstars retire - it will continue to run and run, much in the same way Pele v Maradona has done for years.
BECKHAM: ZIDANE WAS BORN TO MANAGE REAL MADRID
In his interview with the Spanish publication, Beckham also revealed he always expected Zinedine Zidane to become a manager.
"No, I wasn't born to coach, but Zizou was,” Beckham responded when asked if he fancied a crack at management. “As well as being a great friend, he's also the most passionate man about football and Real Madrid that I've ever met.
“It's natural that he ended up managing there. He has a difficult job, because in the past five years Real are up against the best Barça in history. It's a monster, a team well-built and thought through, with youth players that rise through la Masia and with Messi, you know, he's from another planet."
Beckham continued: "Madrid needs stability and continuity. It'd be good for Zidane to carry on for a while there and keep the players he has now. Even if they don't win the Champions League they should give him a chance and let him work. Stability is the key, it's just the base for all things in life and business."
BECKHAM WAS EVEN NICE ABOUT FLORENTINO PEREZ
The former Real Madrid winger even managed to be nice about the club’s controversial president Florentino Perez.
"Florentino Perez has the best interests of the club at heart,” Beckham added, “he wants to bring the best in the world, like Ronaldo, Bale and the rest, he knows the fans and the supporters club and wants the same things. If he didn't sign these players he'd be criticised."
Is Beckham right about Ronaldo and Messi? Have your say by leaving a comment below.