Football thrives on great rivalries, and one of the most intense in recent years has been the one between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Since both have dominated the international stage, an endless debate has arisen about who is the greatest player of all time. The comparisons were especially heated when they played in Spain, with Messi defending the colors of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo being the star of Real Madrid.

Now, in a context where both continue to expand their legacies at the national team level, Ángel Di María, Messi's teammate in the Argentina national team, has put an end to the debate decisively. In a recent interview, the Argentine player emphasized that the difference between the two is clear, with Messi being the more complete player, despite the longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo's career.

Di María, who shared a locker room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2014, stated that the Portuguese forward is characterized by his unwavering confidence, but pointed out that Messi's talent is on another level. "Cristiano was born in one generation, but the other was touched by a magic wand," explained Di María, referring to the unique impact Messi has had on world football.

For Di María, Messi's statistics and achievements far surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's in a clear manner. "One has eight Ballon d'Ors and the other five, that marks a huge difference. Also, being a world champion is something that makes an enormous difference," pointed out the Argentine winger. He also highlighted that Messi has two Copa América titles, while Cristiano only has one European Championship.

The Juventus player also emphasized the way each of them plays, pointing out that Cristiano Ronaldo tries to do everything on the pitch, while Messi plays with an impressive naturalness, as if he were in his own garden. "We see it in matches, minute by minute. One tries to do everything to stand out, while the other seems to be enjoying his football," said Di María.

While the debate about who is the greatest of all time remains open, with Cristiano Ronaldo striving to reach 1,000 goals and seeking a World Cup title with Portugal in 2026, Ángel Di María has made it clear who he considers the best: Lionel Messi, without a doubt.