The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been the most talked about topic in football for the past 15 years, and now Casemiro has spoken out.
The debate over who is the greatest player between Ronaldo and Messi has lasted for nearly two decades. While Messi’s 2022 World Cup win may have given him a certain edge in the eyes of many, the rivalry between them is a never-ending one.
However, Casemiro’s recent statements have many hidden meanings, especially when he has enough reasons to support Ronaldo. In an interview with Diario AS , when asked who is the better player, the Brazilian midfielder did not hesitate to praise Messi.
“I can never stop him alone. It’s impossible. I always need support from Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Sergio Ramos… but I can’t stop him alone. He’s really unstoppable,” the Manchester United midfielder admitted.
However, the Brazilian midfielder was quick to insist that Messi and Ronaldo are in the same class, stressing that maintaining their top form for such a long period of time is unprecedented. “It’s hard to describe,” he said.
“Messi is one of the best players in history, but we have another name, Cristiano Ronaldo. What they have done is unrepeatable. In my generation, the best are Cristiano and Messi… They have contributed a lot to football and changed the sport. Just like Pep Guardiola changed football with tiki-taka, these two have done the same. Scoring 50 goals a season has become normal. Those two players will be remembered forever.”
The statement comes after Cristiano Ronaldo confidently claimed that he is the “most complete” player in football history. The Portuguese superstar said confidently on Spain’s El Chiringuito show:
“Who is the best scorer in history? Everything is decided by numbers. Period. Who has scored the most goals with their heads, with their left feet, from the penalty spot, from free kicks in history? I just looked at the statistics recently, and even though I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 players who have scored the most goals with their left foot in history. And with their heads, with their right foot, from the penalty spot. All of them.”
“I’m talking about numbers,” he continued. “I think I’m the most complete player who’s ever played football. In my opinion, that’s me. I’m great at everything: heading, free-kicks, using my left foot. I have speed, I have power.
“It’s a matter of taste – if you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand and respect that. But saying Ronaldo is not complete… I am the most complete. I have not seen anyone better than me, and I say this from the bottom of my heart.”
Casemiro first played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid in 2013, when he moved from Sao Paulo. In the following years, Lionel Messi’s Barcelona dominated La Liga, but Real Madrid dominated in Europe, winning three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
After his third title, Ronaldo left Real Madrid to join Juventus. However, he reunited with Casemiro at Manchester United in 2022. However, this reunion was short-lived as Ronaldo fell out with new coach Erik ten Hag, leading to him leaving the team after just a few months of playing in the 2022/23 season.
In a illustrious 15-year career, Casemiro has faced Messi a total of 20 times, including matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Brazil and Argentina, as well as when Messi was with PSG. Casemiro’s team won eight times, Messi also had eight victories, and four matches ended in draws.
