Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey recently commented on the ongoing Lionel Messi greatest teammate debate, reflecting on his experiences playing alongside some of football’s top players. During his recent presentation as a new signing for Mexican club Pumas UNAM, Ramsey was asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two icons widely regarded as the best of their generation.
Ramsey, who transferred from Cardiff City to Pumas UNAM on a free transfer, stated,
“Both players are wonderful and I had the privilege of playing with one of them.”
The 34-year-old Welshman emphasized his appreciation for both stars without picking a clear favorite.
When asked about the best teammate he ever had, Ramsey named the former Spanish international Santi Cazorla, highlighting the strong partnership they shared during their time together at Arsenal.
He said,
“The player I enjoy being on the pitch with the most is Santi Cazorla,”
reflecting on their fruitful collaboration on the field.
Ramsey’s career journey and collaborations with top players
Aaron Ramsey began his professional career at his hometown club, Cardiff City, before joining Arsenal in 2008. After loan periods with Nottingham Forest and Cardiff, he became a key player for the Gunners and played alongside Santi Cazorla for four seasons. The duo combined for four joint goal contributions in 117 appearances, playing a significant part in Arsenal’s consecutive FA Cup victories in 2014 and 2015.
In 2019, Ramsey left Arsenal after eleven years and moved to Juventus in Italy’s Serie A. It was at Juventus that he joined forces with Cristiano Ronaldo, sharing the pitch 56 times and contributing jointly to seven goals. Their teamwork helped Juventus secure the 2020 Serie A title.
Despite Ramsey’s connections to Ronaldo and Cazorla, his encounters with Lionel Messi have been limited, facing him four times in competitive play. They met twice in the UEFA Champions League during Messi’s time at Barcelona and twice in Ligue 1 when Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain. Ramsey’s record against Messi stands at one win and three losses.
Angel Di Maria reflects on playing alongside Messi, Ronaldo, and other stars
Former Argentina forward Angel Di Maria recently spoke about his experiences with some of football’s greatest talents, including both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Having played with Messi on the Argentina national team and alongside Ronaldo during his Real Madrid days, Di Maria shared his thoughts while saying goodbye to Benfica ahead of a move to Rosario Central.
Rather than naming a single best teammate, Di Maria expressed admiration for the generation of players he encountered throughout his career.
He stated,
“It’s very difficult to choose one. I think I had the opportunity to play with an incredible generation of players, because I played with Leo (Messi), I played with Cris (Cristiano Ronaldo), I played with Ibra (Ibrahimovic), I played with Rooney, with Van Persie, with Mbappe, with Neymar… I find it very difficult to choose one.”
He further added,
“They are all monsters, all top players in the ranking of the best, some for more years, others less, but I had the opportunity to play with almost all of them, or with all of them, if you can say that, so it’s difficult to choose one. I have this privilege and I was lucky to be able to play with great players, with goal scorers, with players with the final pass, with players with incredible talent. And that’s what I take with me, this opportunity and this luck of having been able to play with so many stars.”
Di Maria’s partnership with Lionel Messi spans the national team, where they combined to achieve numerous successes. He also shared the dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Over his career, Di Maria has played alongside these legends, contributing to many joint goals and memorable matches.
The broader significance of player relationships in football history
Both Aaron Ramsey and Angel Di Maria’s insights illustrate how football careers are shaped not only by individual talent but also by the caliber of teammates and the collaborative efforts on the pitch. Ramsey’s preference for Santi Cazorla as the best teammate highlights the impact of chemistry and shared experience, while his balanced view of Messi and Ronaldo reflects the respect top players hold for each other’s abilities.
Similarly, Di Maria’s reflection on playing with multiple football greats underscores the unique privilege of competing alongside exceptional talent. Their comments contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding the Lionel Messi greatest teammate debate and the qualities that define truly outstanding partnerships in football.
As Ramsey embarks on his new chapter with Pumas UNAM and Di Maria returns to his boyhood club Rosario Central, their perspectives provide fans with thoughtful reflections on what it means to play alongside some of the sport’s most iconic figures, enriching the legacy of these legends and the future of the game itself.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lionel Messi a billionaire?
A. Lionel Messi has a net worth of $1.15 billion. He also has a valuable contract with Inter Miami and many endorsement deals. These make him one of the richest and most influential athletes globally. His lifestyle includes investments in real estate, luxury cars, and a private jet.