For many years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the football landscape.
This caused much debate amongst fans over who is the better player.
Following Lionel Messiβs World Cup triumph, most now agree that Messi is and always has been the better player.
And when speaking about Argentinaβs World Cup success recently, Jurgen Klopp agreed that Messi is the best:
βArgentina deserved it and when you saw the team and the country celebrating, then it probably hit the right country in difficult times. I am really happy for them, they waited for a long time,β Klopp explained. βThe greatest footballer in my lifetime, Lionel Messi, the way he plays football in this age should give us all a hint at how long footballers can perform at the top level. We shouldnβt close the books too early. It was a joy to watch him.β
Itβs not the first time Klopp has backed Messi over Ronaldo, explaining the subtle difference which sets the two icons apart. βFor me Messi, but I couldnβt admire Ronaldo more than I do already,β he told YouTube channel freekickerz in 2020.
Klopp added: βAnd on the other side, there is the small Messi who makes everything look so simple. And therefore I like him maybe a little bit more as a player on the pitch. But Cristiano is also an absolutely incredible player.
βItβs really difficult, therefore, but what both have in common is that both have left their footprints for such a long time. There are also some younger players who have a similar potential, but to do that over this time period is even more incredible.β
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