Ballon d’Or 2024 winner Rodri Hernandez affirmed that Lionel Messi is the best player of all time, while expressing his admiration for the Argentine superstar’s extraordinary ability.
After winning the 2024 Ballon d’Or, Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez shared his thoughts on football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the TV show ‘El Hormiguero’.
Rodri stated emphatically: “I have no doubt that Messi is the greatest player in history.” He explained that although Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraordinary player, Messi possesses an innate talent that is superior.
Sharing his experience on the pitch, Rodri said: “When the ball comes to Messi’s feet, you immediately think of the word ‘danger’. When I started playing with him, I would try to fight for the ball, but he would avoid me easily, as if I was nothing.”
He stressed the difference between Messi and Ronaldo: “We don’t want Cristiano in the penalty area because he is very dangerous there. But with Messi, the danger is always present on the whole pitch.”
Rodri believes that Cristiano Ronaldo has worked hard to match Messi despite not having the same natural talent as the Argentine superstar. This further enhances Messi’s value in the eyes of players who have faced him directly.
Not only praising Messi, Rodri also expressed regret that Spanish players have not received the recognition they deserve. He said: “Spain has experienced one of the most wonderful moments in football history. It is strange that we only have one Ballon d’Or”.
2024 is set to be a special year as Rodri has just become the first Premier League player to win the Ballon d’Or since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Not only that, for the first time since 2003, neither Messi nor Ronaldo were on the final 30-man shortlist for the award. However, their greatness is still remembered as two immortal monuments of world football.
