Ex-Barcelona Coach Refused To Choose Between Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo

Spain football manager and ex-FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has addressed the unending Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate in a unique and interesting way.

It has long been debated who the greater player is in modern soccer between Messi and Ronaldo. The two legendary athletes have played for several coaches over the course of their stellar careers.

Enrique had previously hailed Messi as the best player in the world. However, the veteran coach’s views have now changed as he believes that Messi and Ronaldo’s ability to exceed expectations is what's more important.

"With regards to your other question, if you check through your newspaper archives, you already knew what my opinion is and I don't think it will be ideal for me again to comment on who is the best player in the world for me,” Enrique told reporters ahead of Spain vs. Portugal friendly.

"What is worthy of praise is the fact that players like Cristiano and Leo Messi keep getting older but maintaining such a high-level thanks to their professionalism, their ambition and their capacity to be motivated and keep achieving goals. Both Cristiano and Messi are examples of that," he continued.

Portuguese coach Luis Castro is another seasoned manager who recently expressed his thoughts on the subject. But unlike Enrique, he is convinced that Ronaldo is the greatest player to ever grace the pitch.

“I do not compare. But yes, for me, he (Ronaldo) is the best,” Castro pointed out. “Cristiano has a story behind him that is exemplary. He moved at just 11 years of age to Lisbon to be a footballer, leaving his home. He is someone that has risen alone, with a unique determination."

After more than a decade of dominating the sport, Messi and Ronaldo are still at the top of their game. In fact, prior to testing positive for COVID-19, the Juventus striker was shooting better than he used to.

According to Pro Football DB stats, Ronaldo’s goal average has increased after turning 30 years old.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tallied a total of 463 goals in 718 matches before turning 30 with an average of 0.64. Since then, “CR7” has become more efficient on the pitch and scored 279 goals in 299 matches to improve his average to 0.93.

Messi, meanwhile, recently admitted that he has a different approach to the game. The Barcelona captain said he is now more focused on teamwork and “less obsessed with goals.”