Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo , according to iconic Brazilian ace Rivaldo. The immemorial clash between the two leading stars of the 21st century has split opinions for nigh on a decade , as fans of the beautiful game disagree over who is the greatest between the diminutive Argentinian and the towering Portuguese powerhouse . Some point to goals, others to accolades , but in the eyes of someone who has played to the highest level - having won the World Cup with his country and the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003 - it is the South American who prevails.
Rivaldo cited Messi's ability to 'make differences' during games as the key characteristic that made him the best in the world and stressed his wish that he could have one day played on the same side as the 37-year-old. The Brazilian first chimed in on the eternal matter during a 2017 interview with Betfair, simply claiming: “I would like to play with Messi. It would be amazing.
He is the best of the world, the one who makes more differences." Rivaldo reiterated very clearly where he stood on the matter in 2019, stating after Barcelona 's 3-0 Champions League win over Liverpool : "I don't think Barcelona will ever have a player like Messi in its history. He is unique and the best player in the world.
" The Brazilian also predicted that Messi would collect a clean sweep of all the top individual accolades that year, adding: "Honestly, I do not see anyone this season capable of overshadowing him to win the.