Argentine legend Angel Di Maria has weighed in on the eternal rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, identifying a specific trait where the Portuguese superstar stands alone. Having played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid and Messi with the Argentine national team, Di Maria is one of the few players with “insider” knowledge of both icons.
The Gold Standard of Professionalism
In a comprehensive interview with Diario AS on Tuesday, Di Maria was asked if Ronaldo’s legendary work ethic made a lasting impression on him. His response was definitive.
“Absolutely. In terms of professionalism, Cris is number one by far,” Di Maria stated. “His work ethic, his ability to stay at the top, and his constant drive to be the best while facing off against Leo were truly admirable.”
Hard Work vs. Divine Talent
While saluting Ronaldo’s discipline, Di Maria was quick to contrast it with the natural brilliance of his compatriot, Lionel Messi. He described the “Big Two” as a battle between ultimate human effort and innate genius.
- On Ronaldo: “Cris was all about work and effort to be number one.”
- On Messi: “Leo would be drinking mate in the locker room and then go out and show that he had a gift from God to be the best.”
The “Messi Era” Challenge
Di Maria noted that Ronaldo’s achievements are even more impressive considering he played during the same window as Messi. He remarked that overlapping with the “Messi Era” made Ronaldo’s goals significantly harder to achieve, yet the Al-Nassr captain’s relentless hunger allowed him to keep pace for over two decades.
Now 37 and playing for Rosario Central, Di Maria used the interview to reflect on his own decorated career, which includes 37 trophies. He reaffirmed that while he considers Messi the greatest in history, Ronaldo’s “way of working and maintaining himself” remains unmatched in the world of sports.
