Olaleye Idowu
Former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder, Sami Khedira, has picked his former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi, as the best footballer in history.
He said his allegiance lies with Ronaldo, whom, he played alongside for seven years at both Real Madrid and Juventus.
Urban Express News Online reports that the debate about who is the world’s greatest footballer ever, between Ronaldo and Messi debate has divided fans, players, and pundits for more than a decade.
While Ronaldo possesses athleticism and goal-scoring prowess, Messi has the technical brilliance and playmaking ability.
However, Khedira witnessed Ronaldo first-hand in Spain and Italy and this makes him an unwavering supporter of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Speaking with talkSPORT, Khedira was asked to name who he feels is the greatest between the two icons.
“From my point of view, it’s Cristiano. It’s not a disrespect against Messi because what he has achieved and is still doing, especially in the U.S. is amazing.
“But I know Cristiano; I played with him for seven years in Madrid and Juventus. I know him personally quite well, so I’m 100 per cent team Ronaldo, but with all due respect to Messi.”
Ronaldo and Khedira shared the dressing room at Santiago Bernabeu from 2010 to 2015, wining the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League, amongst other titles.
They later reunited at the Serie A in 2018 and spent three more seasons together at Juventus.
