"You can give me a striker" - Recalling the time Kevin De Bruyne picked who he would like to play with between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi 

Earlier this year, Kevin De Bruyne was asked who he would rather play alongside, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

When quizzed over who the Belgian playmaker would pick between Ronaldo and Messi to play in the same team, De Bruyne picked the 37-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker.

The Manchester City midfielder said:

"I would probably say Ronaldo because he’s more of a typical striker. Messi is still more of a playmaker. I am a playmaker, you can give me a striker.’’

De Bruyne's decision may surprise some, as Messi is widely considered one of the greatest playmakers in the game's history and has been a prolific goal-scorer thus far. However, Ronaldo is better known for his goalscoring prowess and has scored over 700 club goals for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is also the highest international goal scorer ever, with 118 goals in his glorious Portugal career.

That said, a lot has changed since the Belgian midfield maestro picked Ronaldo over Messi. While Messi went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, Ronaldo is currently a free agent after falling out with Manchester United.

Despite his preference for Ronaldo, De Bruyne clarified that he is happy to play with either player.

It's interesting to consider how De Bruyne would have fared with either Ronaldo or Messi as teammates. Both players are known for their brilliance and have proven themselves dominant. However, De Bruyne's playmaking ability would likely complement either player's style and allow them to thrive on the pitch.

Ronaldo playing for the same team as Kevin de Bruyne could have become a reality had the Portuguese international completed his rumored transfer to Manchester City in 2021. Instead, he made a romantic return to his former club Manchester United, where he was the club's highest goal scorer in the 2021-22 season.

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Napoli youngster Khvicha Kvaratskhelia says it is hard to compare Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi before picking the Portuguese as his inspiration

Napoli's 21-year-old forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia recently revealed that former Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo was his inspiration during his younger days, and that he admires the 37-year-old a lot.

The Georgia national team player also believes it is hard to compare Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as they have dominated world football for more than a decade.

Speaking about his boyhood inspiration, the Napoli forward said:

“It’s hard to compare Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but I appreciate Cristiano Ronaldo a lot. He was my childhood idol and my inspiration."

While Lionel Messi is yet to return to France to resume his training sessions with the rest of the PSG squad after Argentina's World Cup win, Ronaldo is looking for a suitable club to join during the winter transfer window after his eventful Manchester United exit.