Cristiano Ronaldo is like Rafael Nadal, Lionel Messi is like Roger Federer, says Antonio Cassano

Sport360 staff 16:38 19/07/2018
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  • Top two: The debate goes on as Capello calls Messi the genius and Ronaldo Superman

    Antonio Cassano has likened Cristiano Ronaldo to Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi to Roger Federer.

    The debate around who is the best player: Ronaldo or Messi, has been the hot topic for well over a decade as the two superstars share five Ballon d’ors between them.

    And after the Portugal forward decided to leave Real Madrid and join Juventus in €105 million transfer deal, Cassano, the former Italy star, compared the two footballing superstars with tennis greats Nadal and Federer.

    “I love Messi not as a counter-point to Cristiano, but because in my view he’s the best of all time and the emotions he gives me are unique,” Cassano told Vanity Fair.

    “If I have to rationalise it or convince you, I ask you to find me someone else who handles the ball and scores so consistently as Messi.

    “Cristiano lacks nothing, let’s be clear, but that’s not the point. I love tennis. Now, Cristiano is like Nadal, a fantastic athlete built on talent, but also hard work and desire.

    Mutual respect: Ronaldo and Messi.

    “Messi is more like Federer. He is pure artistry and class. They are different, and you can prefer one to the other. I am with Messi, as he can make the difference even when standing still, he almost doesn’t need physical fitness.”

    “I also named my second child after Lionel,” Cassano added.

    “He has these gifts from Mother Nature, but above all his mentality, the consistency of his training, his professionalism – all the things I hated,” he said.

    “I admire him a great deal for his ability to always be focused. He’ll remain in history forever as one of the greats and he deserved this success, because he earned it through talent, but above all through hard work.

    “I was fortunate enough to play for Real Madrid when it was the team of the Galacticos. I know how it works there. Real is bigger than any one champion, even one who scored 450 goals, so I’m not surprised the sold him. They did without David Beckham, Ronaldo and Raul, so they can survive without him.”

    “Cristiano will have a wonderful new experience, Juve will pay him a rich salary, but are still happy because €100m for a player like that is a bargain,” Cassano added.

    “He is 33 years old according to his birth certificate, but he looks after his physique so carefully it’s almost maniacal. With the level of this Serie A, he can score 30-40 goals per season for a long while yet.”

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