Lionel Messi believes Cristiano Ronaldo's remark will leave Alex Ferguson red-faced.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time and have long had a rivalry, but Sir Alex Ferguson questioned the former's adaptability.
Lionel Messi's high-profile summer transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain a year ago did not go exactly as planned.
Having scored just six goals in 27 domestic appearances in France, the 34-year-old was also unable to prevent PSG's Champions League round-of-16 exit against Real Madrid, with Thibaut Courtois saving his first-leg penalty. Messi and teammate Neymar were booed by PSG fans in the Ligue 1 match that followed the humiliation, when PSG faced Bordeaux.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi's long-term rival at the pinnacle of football greatness, was also on the move last summer, returning to Manchester United after a 12-year absence. The Portuguese star scored 24 goals in 38 appearances but was unable to prevent the team from having a disastrous season.
PSG president Al-Khelaifi, on the other hand, is optimistic about Messi's form and believes his output will improve next season, as he explained: "There is no doubt that Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or a record seven times, and it was not his best season."
"However, after more than 20 years in Barcelona, he discovered a new country, city, league, and team." A new culture has emerged. As well as his family, he was harmed by the coronavirus. Last season was difficult for Messi, but next season would see the best Messi yet."
That perspective directly contradicts Sir Alex Ferguson's previous criticism of Messi, in which he explained why he believed Ronaldo had the edge over Messi at the highest level - because of his adaptability to changing situations.
In 2003, the legendary former Manchester United manager signed a prospect from Sporting Lisbon and aided Ronaldo's development into the iconic figure he is today. Prior to joining Real Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his first spell in Manchester.
Ferguson stated in 2015, "People ask, 'Who is the best player in the world?'" And plenty of people, quite rightly, say Messi - you can't argue with that.
"However, Ronaldo might play for Millwall, QPR, Doncaster Rovers, anyone else and score a hat-trick in a game." "I'm not sure Messi could pull it off." Ronaldo has two feet, he's quick, he's great in the air, and he's brave - of course, Messi is bold. "I believe Messi is a Barcelona player."
Ronaldo has five Ballon d'Or awards in his illustrious career, while Messi surpassed the Portuguese legend by winning his seventh golden ball at the 2021 ceremony in Paris in November.
Messi won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League titles during his time at Barcelona, and he finally tasted international success last year when Argentina won the Copa America for the first time in 28 years. After Ronaldo led Portugal to the European Championships title in 2016, the two all-time greats were equal on the international stage.
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