'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In 2020, La Liga president Javier Tebas claimed that Lionel Messi was more valuable to the league than Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair were the best players not just in the Spanish top flight but the world during their time with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
Ronaldo joined the league in 2009 from Manchester United and enjoyed a legendary stint with Los Blancos, bagging 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 games acros competitions. Messi was also magical for the Blaugrana, He came through the legendary La Masia ranks to make 778 appearances and score 672 goals and provide 303 assists for the senior team.
Trending
Speaking with RAC1 about the chances of Messi leaving the league at the time, Tebas said:
"Cristiano's departure, even though it annoyed Madrid, had almost no impact (on La Liga). But Messi's case is different. Messi is the best player in the history of the game. .... I think you would notice Messi's departure."
Lionel Messi eventually followed in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps and left La Liga in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain. The legendary pair are now in the twilight of their careers and play for Inter Miami and AL-Nassr in MLS and Saudi Pro-League respectively.
"Cristiano was a monster, and the father of the monster is Messi" - Pep Guardiola weighs on on GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Pep Guardiola weighed in on the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spanish tactician managed Messi for 18,119 minutes across 219 games and saw him score 211 goals and provide 94 assists.
Messi and Ronaldo competed against each other at the highest level and dominated the sport for over a decade, claiming 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them. The Portuguese star won five, while his World Cup-winning rival Messi claimed eight.
Guardiola said that their haul of Ballon d'Or awards is proof of who the greater player is, saying on Tuesday via GOAL:
"Messi, nobody could beat him. Just Cristiano. Cristiano was a monster, and the father of the monster is Messi. And both have done something incredible in the last 15 or 20 years. And maybe in that moment, Xavi and Iniesta deserved the Ballon d’Or as well. So I think Rodri, yesterday, got what Spanish football deserved worldwide."
Lionel Messi next faces Atlanta United in the MLS Playoffs with Inter Miami on Saturday (November 2). Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, next faces Al-Hilal with Al-Nassr on Friday in the Saudi Pro League a day earlier.
