Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has shared his thoughts on the long-standing debate between football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s New Day on Thursday, April 17, Gyan was asked to choose between the two legendary players. He responded by highlighting the contrasting nature of their talents.
“Messi is a gifted player, while Ronaldo depends on his fitness to play,”Gyan stated. He elaborated that Messi’s talent is innate and effortless, making him stand out among the best in football history.
According to Gyan, Messi should not even be compared with Ronaldo, but rather with legendary figures like Diego Maradona and Abedi Pele. “Those are his real competitors,” he added.
Gyan praised Messi’s natural ability, saying, “Messi is the gifted one. He can stay off training for two months and still play at the highest level. Ronaldo, on the other hand, depends on his fitness, and I respect him a lot for that.”
He acknowledged Ronaldo’s dedication, saying the Portuguese star has reached his level through consistent hard work and commitment to improving his physical attributes. “Ronaldo is where he is today because of his hard work and dedication,” he said.
However, when it came down to personal preference, Gyan made his stance clear: “Ronaldo is a complete player, but I prefer Messi.