"Whoever Claims Ronaldo Is Stronger Than Messi Doesn't Understand Football": Van Basten Claims

AC Milan legend Marco van Basten has shared his opinion on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry. For the Dutchman, there is no question over which one of them is a better football player.

"I basically stopped playing when I was 28. I'd won three Golden Balls. Look at Ronaldo and Messi today, where they are," Van Basten said as cited by Corriere della Sera.

"Ronaldo is a great player. But whoever claims he's stronger than Messi doesn't understand football or is in bad faith. Messi is unique. Inimitable and unrepeatable. Like him, one every fifty years. As a child, he fell into the pot of football genius."

Cristiano has found the net 24 times in 29 games in all competitions so far this season. Curiously, he has netted 20 goals in as many games in Serie A.

Messi, for his part, has scored 18 goals in 20 La Liga matches. The Argentine remains the best goalscorer in the league so far this season even though he missed five games at the start of the campaign.

Messi's latest triumph against Ronaldo dates back to December 2019. The Argentine claimed his record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or award. The Portuguese striker didn't even show up for the gala as he didn't want to see his rival's win.

Source: Tribuna