“Then he was winning the Ballon d’Or”

Throughout an interview in 2024, former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué claimed that Lionel Messi by no means targeted on competing in opposition to Cristiano Ronaldo or profitable particular person accolades. The previous Spanish defender performed alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United earlier than becoming a member of Barcelona, the place he shared the dressing room with Lionel Messi.

Piqué and Messi performed 506 matches collectively over 13 seasons, leading to 17 joint aim contributions. Addressing his former La Blaugrana teammate throughout an interview with talkSPORT final yr, Piqué asserted that Messi is a team-focused participant and he by no means gave consideration to Cristiano Ronaldo’s profession.

The previous Spanish defender additionally claimed that Lionel Messi all the time emphasised crew accolades over particular person awards. He mentioned (by way of GOAL):

“He wasn’t that kind of man. He was very team-focused, though he was getting all the primary web page in all of the newspapers and radios and TV. On the finish of the day, he was very shut with all of us, and he was simply targeted on profitable titles just like the Champions League and sorts of issues.”

“On the finish of the day as a result of he was the perfect. Then he was profitable the Ballon d’Or however it wasn’t one thing that was a precedence for him.” He added.

In the meantime, Gerard Piqué performed 15 video games alongside Cristiano Ronaldo throughout his time at Manchester United. The Spaniard later joined Barcelona from United in July 2008. The 2 later confronted one another quite a few occasions within the El Clásico because the Portuguese ahead arrived at Santiago Bernabeu from Outdated Trafford in 2009.

When Gerard Piqué had to decide on between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Throughout an interview in 2023, Gerard Piqué picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo within the GOAT (Biggest of All Time) debate. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the game for nearly 20 years, profitable quite a few particular person and crew accolades.

Nevertheless, throughout an interview at John Nellis’s YouTube channel, the previous Barcelona star was requested to make his choose. Piqué lauded the 2 soccer icons for his or her rivalry whereas praising Messi for his expertise and Ronaldo for his onerous work.

However, whereas making the selection, he picked the Argentine celebrity. He mentioned (by way of GIVEMRSPORT):

“Effectively, it is true that the combat between the 2 within the final decade was fairly spectacular as a result of each of them did extremely properly.”

“I believe that when it comes to expertise, Messi is primary, for certain. It is true that Cristiano has labored very onerous to attempt to compete and combat for the primary spot, however for those who see the careers of each… I’d select Messi, for certain.”

Piqué, who retired from worldwide soccer after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, pulled the curtain on his illustrious skilled profession in 2022.

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” data-lazy=”https://keedag.sportskeeda.com/user-pic/899022-1735758175-200.jpg?w=200″
alt=”Shashank” top=”72″ width=”72″>

Shashank is a journalist at Sportskeeda masking European soccer for the reason that previous 2 years. He holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and has additionally performed the game as a box-to-box midfielder and a full-back at nationwide stage, together with Tennis, Taekwondo and Boxing.

Shashank has been a Liverpool supporter since 2014 and had first stumbled upon the membership after receiving a present which had the phrases ‘Liverpool FC’ written on it. He has idolised Steven Gerrard over time however his favourite soccer reminiscence is the Reds’ unimaginable comeback 4-0 win over Barcelona within the 2019 Champions League semis. He, unsurprisingly, additionally loves Jurgen Klopp’s managerial type.

He strives to report 100% correct content material by going by a number of social media platforms, and prides himself on his above-average vocabulary and researching abilities. In his profession thus far, Shashank has had the privilege of interviewing Indian nationwide soccer crew goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Shashank additionally follows the Indian Tremendous League and the Eredivisie together with European Soccer. In his off time, he likes to do theatre, watch Tennis, and journey.

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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer