David Beckham casts his verdict on the Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi debate. The Manchester United legend did not hold back with his opinion.
Back in 2003, Manchester United sold David Beckham to Real Madrid. In the same year, the Red Devils bought in a teenager from Sporting who went by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. In the years since, he became a household name and was tipped for glory.
Also read: What if Neymar had never left Barcelona for PSG?
Another young player in Barcelona by the name of Barcelona however, was also slowly charting his road to the top. Together, the pair dominated football in a manner never seen before. The world has since been split on which of the two is greater than the other.
The latest footballer to chip in with his opinion on the great debate is none other than the man Cristiano Ronaldo shares his former clubs, United and Real Madrid with; David Beckham.
David Beckham casts his verdict on the Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi debate
Former England captain Beckham said that both Ronaldo and Messi were “head and shoulders” above anyone else in world football. However, he did not hesitate to anoint the Argentinian as the better of the two.
“He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him,” Beckham told Argentine outlet Telam, per Mirror.
“He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.”
Beckham also recalled when he clashed against Messi during a Champions League game in 2013, a month before his 38th birthday.
“We were ahead and he came on and Barcelona scored.
“Despite my age, I enjoyed playing and the team played well in both legs. We did things that we can be proud of. They didn’t beat us.”
Both matches ended in a draw, 2-2 in the Parc des Princes and 1-1 at Camp Nou, with Barca progressing on away goals.
Beckham ended his career that season by winning the French League with PSG and is currently the president of Inter Miami CF.
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