Messi Has 'The Talent' But Ronaldo Is 'More Impressive,' Golden Foot Winner Says

Iker Casillas, 2017 Golden Foot winner and legendary goalkeeper, has declared his pick between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Real Madrid legend Casillas was asked to share his views on the decade-long "rivalry" between Messi and Ronaldo. For the Spanish icon, the Barcelona captain was born with a gift of natural talent, but he is more dazzled by what his former teammate, Ronaldo, has accomplished.

"Cristiano [Ronaldo] always had huge desire to be the best, ever since he was a boy and I believe he has achieved that," Casillas said. "If I have to compare him to Messi, what Cristiano has done is more impressive because we all know the talent Messi has, but Cristiano was determined and worked hard to be the best."

Despite siding with Ronaldo, Casillas said that the emergence of the pair’s epic rivalry made a significant contribution to modern soccer.

"I feel we have been lucky to have been able to enjoy two phenomenal players," he added.

Casillas is the latest football legend to comment on the Messi vs. Ronaldo talk. In October last year, Zlatan Ibrahimovic also weighed in on the subject.

Interestingly, Casillas was a former teammate of Ronaldo while Ibrahimovic shared the pitch with Messi in Barcelona back in the day. Like Casillas, “Ibra” thinks the Portuguese superstar’s work ethic is unparalleled. However, the AC Milan striker lauded Messi for being a one-of-a-kind athlete.

"I admire Cristiano [Ronaldo], he works very hard and has played everywhere but in Italy it's different, I'm not surprised that he scores less than before," Ibrahimovic said. "About Leo [Messi], what to say? He has a unique talent."

Casillas seemed satisfied with what Messi and Ronaldo have achieved in their stellar careers. Ibrahimovic, on the other hand, is interested in seeing how long the pair can maintain their fine form.

"We will see where they [Messi and ronaldo] are when they are my age," he concluded.

Messi and Ronaldo had many epic clashes in La Liga before the latter left for Juventus. Their last duel was on May 6, 2018, when they were still battling it out for El Clasico supremacy. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with both Messi and Ronaldo scoring one goal apiece.

Now, more than two years after their last match, Messi and Ronaldo are set to face each other once again. On Oct. 28, Juventus will go head-to-head with Barcelona in this year’s UEFA Champions League Matchday 2.