Di Maria: Messi is better than Ronaldo

Argentine star Angel Di Maria has settled the ongoing debate about comparing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, asserting that the Argentine captain surpasses the Portuguese star thanks to his exceptional natural talent . Di Maria, who played alongside both players throughout his career, stated that Ronaldo always relied on hard work and a relentless pursuit of Messi, adding: "Cristiano was the epitome of hard work, day after day, giving his all to try and reach Leo's level, who possesses innate talent and a divine gift ." He explained that Ronaldo earned his achievements and individual awards through sheer dedication, noting that the rivalry between them was extremely close for many years, as each possessed distinct strengths . Di Maria added: "For me, Messi is better than Cristiano because he has natural talent. He doesn't need to constantly strive to catch up with or surpass anyone. I had a fantastic relationship with both of them, I created many goals for them, and it was special to play alongside two players who competed for the Ballon d'Or for 20 years." The current Benfica player spoke about the historic rivalry between the two stars for the Ballon d'Or, asserting that football will not witness a similar struggle in the near future. He said, "There is no longer a Messi or a Cristiano at the top like before; that era is over. I don't think we will see a rivalry of that magnitude again." Di Maria concluded his remarks by noting that either star still has a chance to compete for the Ballon d'Or if they manage to shine during the upcoming World Cup or lead their national team to a major achievement.