Rodrigo De Paul, a key player for Atletico Madrid and Lionel Messi's teammate at Argentina, has fired back at Cristiano Ronaldo's recent assertion that he is the "most complete player ever." The bold statement from Ronaldo, made during a February 4 interview with La Sexta, has triggered a wave of debate in the football world. De Paul, however, has firmly sided with Lionel Messi, his Argentina teammate, in the ongoing GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate.
Rodrigo De Paul's response to Ronaldo's remark
Rodrigo De Paul, when asked about Ronaldo's comment, offered his thoughts to Infobae.
I guess I have to say this from a politically correct place because I don’t want any trouble, but I feel like anyone who has watched a bit of soccer or understands even a little knows that there will never be another like the Number 10 (Messi), De Paul remarked.
He further explained that Messi's impact on the sport transcends statistics and titles.
For De Paul, Messi's influence extends far beyond the record books.
Let’s not even talk about titles or anything like that, because what he created… People will pay anything to watch him, to see how he gets past a defender, how he delivers an assist. Leo is art, he said. The other one (Ronaldo) is a competitive beast, an incredible goal scorer. But the Number 10 is art.
The records speak for themselves
While both Ronaldo and Messi are undeniably among the greatest footballers to ever play the game, their career achievements continue to fuel comparisons.
Messi, widely regarded as the most decorated player in history, has amassed a staggering 46 trophies, including a World Cup, two Copa Americas, and 12 league titles, including 10 La Liga titles. His individual honors are just as impressive, with 8 Ballon d'Or awards and 3 FIFA The Best honors.
On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most Champions League titles, with five, and remains the all-time top scorer in professional soccer with 924 goals. He also led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship.
Ronaldo's bold statement
In his February 4 interview, Ronaldo stated,
I do everything in soccer: I head well, take free kicks, shoot with my left foot, I’m fast, I’m strong, I jump... Preferences are subjective, but saying I’m not complete is a lie. I am the most complete.
His statement, which celebrates his versatility and extensive skillset, has since been met with a mixture of praise and skepticism from various footballing greats, including Zinedine Zidane, Hugo Sanchez, Marco van Basten, and Angel Di María.
Regardless of the debate surrounding Ronaldo’s self-assessment, one thing is clear: both he and Messi have already solidified their places among the greatest players to ever grace the field. Their incredible talents and contributions to the sport have set the bar for future generations, ensuring their legacies will endure for years to come.