Soccer
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri gives verdict on Messi vs Ronaldo GOAT debate
The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or was asked about the ongoing discussion over the Argentine and Portuguese legends.
One of the defining moments of 2024 was the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Rodri Hernández was crowned the best footballer in the world for his outstanding performance in the previous season. Now, the Manchester City midfielder and Spanish international is making headlines again during his media tour, where he has opened up about his career, personal decisions in football, and how it feels to receive the sport’s most prestigious individual honor.
During an appearance on the popular Spanish talk show El Hormiguero, Rodri didn’t hold back when asked to name the most impactful footballer of all time. His answer? “There’s no doubt—Messi,” he said. “Cristiano has managed to match him in many aspects, maybe without the innate talent that Leo has.
“Those of us who’ve played against them can immediately notice the difference.”
I thought I could take the ball from him—no chance
Rodri’s take: Messi vs Cristiano
Rodri elaborated on his choice, breaking down the unique challenges of facing each superstar on the pitch. “With Cristiano, the one thing you didn’t want was for him to enter the box. If he got in there, it was lethal,” Rodri explained. “But Messi? He was a threat everywhere. The ball would reach him, and you’d think, ‘Danger. Something is going to happen. I don’t know what, but something will.’”
The midfielder also shared his early memories of playing against Messi as a teenager. “I remember when I first faced him at 17 or 18. I thought I could take the ball from him—no chance. He’d just do his signature right-left dribble, and it didn’t matter what you tried.”
The verdict from a Pep Guardiola protegé
Currently sidelined with a knee injury, Rodri remains one of Manchester City’s most pivotal players under Pep Guardiola’s leadership in the Premier League. His remarks place him among a long list of players who have publicly favored the legendary FC Barcelona and Argentina star over Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer and Portugal’s captain.
Article by Diego Mayel Ibarra. Translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Calum Roche.
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