Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has expressed his belief that Lionel Messi stands above Cristiano Ronaldo in the ongoing debate about the greatest footballer of all time. Scholes’s comments came after witnessing Messi’s impressive performance during a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur in 2018, showcasing why he considers Messi the more complete player.
Throughout their careers, Messi and Ronaldo have set remarkable standards in football, thrilling fans with their extraordinary skills and achievements. Scholes, having played alongside Ronaldo for six seasons at Manchester United, recognizes Ronaldo’s exceptional abilities but emphasizes Messi’s unparalleled talent as an all-around footballer.
Insights from Scholes on Playing Against Messi and Ronaldo
Paul Scholes played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, where they celebrated successes including the Premier League and Champions League titles. The duo appeared together in 183 games for Manchester United, combining for eight goals. Despite this partnership, Scholes openly praised Messi’s football artistry when interviewed by ESPN in 2018.
“Watching Messi against Tottenham at Wembley made me think about the Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo debate again. Messi, but Ronaldo is brilliant. Ronaldo is sensational at what he does, with pace and power. He scores, he takes free-kicks. But as an all-round footballer, Messi – wow, his passing – has absolutely everything,” said Scholes.
—Paul Scholes, Former Manchester United Midfielder
In addition to interviews, Scholes documented his experiences marking Messi during games against Barcelona. He described the Argentine as elusive and extremely difficult to defend.
“I am not ashamed to admit that in the games against Barcelona I spent a lot of the time just hoping he would take up positions as far away from me as possible. Elusive is the word that immediately springs to mind when I think about Messi’s style of play,” wrote Scholes.
—Paul Scholes, Former Manchester United Midfielder
“You think you have an eye on him and then – blink – he has gone, only to reappear somewhere else in space, with the ball. When you try to face up to him and make a tackle you know what it is he is going to do with the ball. The problem is staying with him.”
—Paul Scholes, Former Manchester United Midfielder
Career Encounters Between Scholes, Messi, and Ronaldo
During his playing days, Scholes faced Lionel Messi four times, all occurring while Messi was with Barcelona. In these encounters, Messi’s team won twice and lost once, with that lone defeat coming in the 2008 Champions League semifinal, when Manchester United triumphed 1-0 thanks to a goal from Scholes himself.
Scholes also came up against Cristiano Ronaldo twice, once when Ronaldo was still establishing himself. Those matches resulted in a draw and a loss for Scholes’s side, highlighting the competitive nature of their meetings on the pitch.
Current Status of Messi and Ronaldo
Today, Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, continuing to deliver highlights for fans across the world. Cristiano Ronaldo is currently signed with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, extending his prolific career in a different footballing environment.
Paul Scholes’s reflections underscore the admiration held for both players, but his praise distinctly elevates Messi as the more gifted and comprehensive footballer. This perspective adds texture to the enduring conversation about who truly deserves the GOAT title in football history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lionel Messi religious?
A. Lionel Messi identifies as a Roman Catholic. Although he’s not known for talking about his faith a lot, he sometimes mentions believing in God and being thankful for his skills.
Q. Is Lionel Messi’s religion?
A. He was deeply impacted by her passing just before he turned eleven. From that time, being a committed Catholic, he honors his grandmother by pointing to the sky after scoring a goal.