Chelsea Legend Recalls Stopping Lionel Messi, Facing Cristiano Ronaldo And Ronaldinho

Former England defender Ashley Cole has shared a few things about his battles with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Despite being arguably the greatest player to ever grace the pitch, Messi shockingly had not scored a goal against Premier League club Chelsea until 2018. Sharing his insight on the subject, ex-Blues star Cole was halfway through recounting that Messi has only netted one goal against Chelsea when he realized that the Barcelona captain never managed to score on them during his eight-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Though Cole is considered as one of the greatest defenders of all time, he pointed out that it was “team effort” that stopped a player like Messi from scoring.

"It wasn't just me!" he recently told Goal, "That's been thrown about but the team effort was massive. When it came to stopping players like him, we had a great team understanding and togetherness at Chelsea."

"Our midfield was integral in that regard," he continued. "It certainly wasn't just me. I wasn't blowing my trumpet there by pointing that out!"

Cole also shared the pitch with Messi’s ultimate rival Ronaldo during the Portuguese icon’s time at Manchester United. Ronaldo had intense battles with Cole and Chelsea, and one thing that stuck in the latter’s head was the five-time Ballon d’Or’s incredible “left foot.”

"I was going to say David Beckham here, because I think he could put a ball on a sixpence, but I think I will go for [Cristiano] Ronaldo," the 40-year-old replied when asked who had the best left foot in the sport.

Based on Cole’s recollection, Ronaldo’s right foot was also impressive and he had to be “aggressive” in trying to stop him from scoring all the time.

"Ronaldo could go inside and out,” the England legend explained. “Also, the quality of his right foot, the quality of his shooting from every angle and different ranges, the quality of his free-kicks with the bend he could get on the ball, he was fantastic. He was one you just couldn't give any space to. So, it was about being on the front foot, being aggressive and trying to get out to him and not let him get his head up and start doing the stepovers."

"It was about understanding that 'I can't let balls go in behind me'," he continued. "I had to allow them go to his feet, but get out quick to him and stop him at source."

Unlike Messi, Brazil legend Ronaldinho scored three goals against Chelsea during his entire career but not even once on Cole. Looking back at their duels, Cole admitted that Ronaldinho was the most skillful player he had ever faced.

"Even though I was in battles against him, sometimes I'd laugh to myself when he pulled off a crazy piece of skill or nutmegged someone," the Chelsea academy coach recalled. "Even as you're playing against him, you enjoy watching him play. The way he floated across that turf, doing stepovers, finding passes with every party of his foot. He was like a magician."

"You see a lot of players who feel like they have the skills but he was efficient, too,” he added. “He did it in the right areas. He cut teams apart with his skill. He had everything."