Pep Guardiola makes something clear to Cristiano Ronaldo about Lionel Messi
In the wake of Rodri’s historic 2024 Ballon d’Or victory, soccer fans are reflecting on the legendary era dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Just a day after the prestigious ceremony, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola shared his insights, delivering a compelling message about Messi’s unparalleled legacy compared to Ronaldo.
During a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola was asked about the significance of the Ballon d’Or. He took the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Spanish soccer while emphasizing Messi’s dominance. “Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta could not win because he (Messi) was a monster; nobody could beat him. Only Cristiano (Ronaldo) could compete. Cristiano was a monster, but the father of the monster is Messi. Both have accomplished something incredible over the last 15 to 20 years. Perhaps Xavi and Iniesta also deserved recognition during that time,” Guardiola stated.
Guardiola pointed out that despite winning the 2010 World Cup, Spanish legends like Xavi and Iniesta were overshadowed by Messi’s brilliance. He also praised Rodri for becoming the first Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or since Luis Suarez in 1960, stating, “I think Rodri received what Spanish soccer deserved on a global scale.”
Guardiola Revisits the Messi-Ronaldo Debate
Given his tenure at FC Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, Guardiola’s perspective on the Messi-Ronaldo debate is understandably influenced by his experiences coaching Messi. He witnessed firsthand Messi’s record-breaking achievement of 91 goals in 69 games during 2012, a feat that remains unmatched.
While Guardiola has consistently named Messi as the greatest soccer player of all time, he also acknowledges Ronaldo’s remarkable competition. By referring to Messi as “the father of the monster,” Guardiola sparked intrigue among fans and media alike, reigniting discussions about the legendary rivalry between these two soccer icons.
As the soccer world continues to celebrate Rodri’s achievement, Guardiola’s comments serve as a reminder of the lasting impact Messi has had on the sport and the ongoing debate surrounding the greatest players in history.
