- Pep Guardiola Weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo Legacy, comparing their rivalry to a father-son relationship.
- Guardiola acknowledged Cristiano Ronaldo as a “monster” but believes Messi surpasses him as the superior player.
- Both Messi and Ronaldo have profoundly influenced global soccer, dominating Spanish football for over 15 years.
- Their rivalry spanned more than a decade, resulting in an impressive 13 combined Ballon d’Or awards.
- Guardiola’s insights provide a fresh perspective on the enduring legacy of these two football icons.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has offered a fresh perspective on the legendary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, drawing an intriguing comparison between the two football icons.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola likened the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry to a relationship between father and son. This unique analogy highlights the profound impact these players have had on the sport.

The conversation took an interesting turn when discussing Spanish midfielder Rodri, who recently won the Ballon d’Or award. Guardiola congratulated his star player, expressing that Rodri’s recognition represents a long-awaited victory for Spanish football.
Pep Guardiola’s comments shed light on the intense competition between Messi and Ronaldo during their tenures at Barcelona and Real Madrid. He noted that influential players like Xavi and Iniesta were often overshadowed by the dominant performances of both superstars.
“I remember when three players from the academy of Barcelona La Masia were nominated,”
Guardiola said.
“All three you know to win the Ballon d’Or, and Xavi and Iniesta could not win because there was a monster then.”
He continued,
“And Messi nobody could beat him. Maybe just Cristiano. Cristiano was a monster, but the father of the monster is Messi.”
Guardiola emphasized that while both players were great, he believes Messi takes the edge. This opinion reflects the Argentine’s unparalleled dominance in the sport during his prime years.
🔵✨ Pep Guardiola: “Cristiano Ronaldo was a monster, and the father of the monster is Leo Messi”. pic.twitter.com/JnJh13khXW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024
“You know Spanish football, the influence in world football in the last 10 to 15 years have been massively important,”
Guardiola explained.
“Not just winning trophies but the way they play, the generations with the managers and generations with the players.”
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is one of the most celebrated in sports history. Their contrasting styles captivated fans for over a decade, pushing both players to the peak of their performance. Between them, they have won an impressive 13 Ballon d’Or titles, with Messi claiming 8 and Ronaldo securing 5.
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Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by 247 News Around The World