In the ever-persistent debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time, the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has transcended statistics, trophies, and continents.
Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo reignited the debate by claiming he is the “best player in history,” a statement that immediately sent shockwaves through the footballing community.

But what truly set social media ablaze was the response from Ángel Di María, Messi’s long-time Argentina teammate and close friend, who weighed in with his own perspective—one that not only defended Messi but also explained why, in his eyes and those of many others, Messi is simply on another level.

Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to bold statements.
With five Ballon d’Ors, a European Championship, multiple Champions League titles, and a seemingly endless drive, his confidence is as legendary as his goal-scoring exploits.
In a recent interview, Ronaldo declared, “I am the best player in history, and I don’t say that just because of my trophies, but because of my consistency, my impact, my numbers.”
While his supporters echoed his sentiments, others saw the comment as yet another chapter in the Messi-Ronaldo saga.

Ángel Di María, who has played alongside both icons—Messi with Argentina and Ronaldo at Real Madrid—was inevitably asked for his view.
His answer was measured, respectful, but also emphatic.

“I have the utmost respect for Cristiano,” Di María began, “He is a phenomenal player, one of the greatest ever.
But what I have seen from Leo [Messi]—not just in games, but in training, in the dressing room, in the way he reads football—puts him on another level.
He does things that nobody else can do, and he does them with a natural ease that is impossible to explain.”

Di María continued, “Cristiano is a machine, a true professional, a leader.
But Leo is magic.
You can see it in the way he moves, the way he makes the impossible look simple.
He’s not just the best of our generation, he’s the best ever.”

Di María’s defense of Messi isn’t just about friendship or loyalty—it’s rooted in years of shared experience on and off the pitch.
He recalls countless moments where Messi’s genius left even his own teammates in disbelief.

“There are times in training when you just stop and watch,” Di María explained.
“He’ll do something with the ball—dribble past five players, score from an impossible angle, deliver a pass that nobody else saw—and everyone just laughs because it shouldn’t be possible.
But for him, it is.”

He also pointed to Messi’s humility and leadership.
“Leo never puts himself above the team.
He leads by example, by his work ethic, his quiet confidence.
He inspires everyone around him to be better.”

While Ronaldo’s numbers are extraordinary, Di María argues that Messi’s influence goes beyond statistics.

“Cristiano scores goals, he breaks records, and that’s amazing.
But Leo creates football.
He invents.
He brings joy to the game in a way that nobody else does.
That’s why, for me, he’s the greatest.”

For many, Messi’s crowning achievement came in 2022 when he led Argentina to World Cup glory.
Di María, who scored in the final, credits Messi’s presence as the defining factor.

“Winning the World Cup with Leo was a dream.
He carried us, not just with his goals, but with his belief.
He made us all believe it was possible.”

Di María is quick to stress his admiration for Ronaldo.
“I learned a lot from Cristiano at Real Madrid.
He’s a winner, a competitor.
But if you ask me who is the greatest, there’s only one answer: Leo Messi.”

As long as both men are playing, the debate will rage on.
But for those who have shared the pitch with both, like Di María, the answer is clear.

“Messi is different.
He’s not just the best of this era, he’s the best ever.”