CRISTIANO RONALDO is the greatest player on the planet and he pips Lionel Messi in one key area.
That’s the opinion of Juventus legend Antonio Carbrini, who was reflecting on Ronaldo’s first season at the Allianz Stadium.
Although the Portuguese forward scored less goals than
Krzysztof Piatek, Duvan Zapata and Golden Boot winner Fabio Quagliarella
this term, he still done enough to win the league’s MVP award.
Despite disappointing exits in the Champions League and
Coppa Italia, Ronaldo still helped Juventus win the Scudetto, Juve’s
eighth in a row.
When 1982 World Cup winner Carbrini was asked whether
Ronaldo is the best player in the world, he listed one key attribute
that was crucial to his decision.
“Probably, yes [Ronaldo is the best player in the world],” Carbrini told Express Sport, on behalf of Betfair.
“Obviously the last 10 years in club football has been focused on the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“My personal opinion is that Ronaldo is better than Messi but mainly in terms of leadership.
“Ronaldo has proved himself to be a real leader a lot of
times - and not only on the pitch. He is a leader in his life as well
as in sports.”
While the Ronaldo versus Messi debate rolls on, the
former Manchester United star has got international success against his
name having led Portugal to glory at Euro 2016.
Cabrini referenced the fact the Barcelona captain fell
short at the Brazil World Cup in 2014, when Germany beat Argentine 1-0
in extra-time.
“So with all the respect and admiration, we have for a
player like Messi, there have been a few instances in his career that he
came up short,” he added.
“But we are speaking about two great players, I think we can all agree on that.”
Ronaldo will return to international duty tonight when Portugal take on Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League semi-final.
The 34-year-old decided to take an extended break from playing for his country in the aftermath of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He will have a new manager when he returns to Turin with
Juventus next season after it was confirmed that Massimiliano Allegri
would not be seeing put the final year of his contract.
Maurizio Sarri remains the frontrunner should he be
granted permission to leave Chelsea, after winning the Europa League in
Baku against Arsenal.
