Manchester City’s Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, weighs in on the Messi vs. Ronaldo GOAT debate. Highlighting Messi’s all-around threat and Ronaldo’s lethal precision, Rodri calls Messi the greatest. His comments follow a historic Ballon d’Or ceremony and his return to action after an ACL injury recovery.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri, fresh off his 2024 Ballon d’Or victory, has shared his perspective on the long-standing debate about the greatest football player of all time. The Spanish star, who edged out Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. to win the prestigious award, emphasized Lionel Messi’s unparalleled ability on the field.
In a recent interview, Rodri reflected on his time in La Liga, where he faced both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He described Messi as a player who posed a constant threat anywhere on the pitch. “With Messi, danger could come from any position,” he said. Rodri noted that trying to dispossess Messi felt like facing an unstoppable force, comparing the experience to a bull in an arena. On the other hand, he highlighted Ronaldo’s lethal presence in the box, praising his precision but underscoring Messi’s all-encompassing dominance.
Rodri’s comments follow his historic Ballon d’Or win, making him the first Premier League player to secure the honor since Ronaldo in 2008. This year’s ceremony was particularly significant, as neither Messi nor Ronaldo featured on the shortlist for the first time since 2003.
