Monrovia, Liberia – The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has join the debate regarding the Portuguese and Argentine icons. A key event of 2024 was the Ballon d’Or presentation, when Rodri Hernández was named the world’s greatest football player after his exceptional play.
The Spanish international and Manchester City midfielder is currently making headlines once more on his media tour, where he has talked candidly about his career, personal football choices, and what it’s like to win the sport’s most coveted individual award.
Rodri didn’t mince words when asked to select the greatest influential football player of all time during an interview on the well-known Spanish talk program El Hormiguero.
“Messi is undeniable,” Cristiano has been able to compete with him in many areas, maybe without the innate talent that Leo has. “Those of us who have played against them can immediately notice the difference.”
Rodri explained his decision in detail, outlining the particular difficulties that each superstar faces on the field. The one thing you didn’t want with Cristiano was for him to get inside the box.It was deadly if he went inside. But Messi? He posed a danger everywhere. “Danger,” you would think when the ball would approach him. Something will occur. I have no idea what it will be, but something will.
The midfielder also talked about his early recollections of playing against Messi as a teenager. “I recall being 17 or 18 when I first encountered him. I had no doubt that I could steal the ball from him. Whenever you attempted, he would simply dribble from right to left, which is his characteristic move.”
Despite being out due to a knee injury, Rodri is still one of Manchester City’s most important players in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola’s direction. His comments put him in the company of other players who have openly preferred the renowned FC Barcelona and Argentina great above the captain of Portugal and Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer.
