Rivaldo's Take on the Messi vs. Ronaldo Debate
For anyone who's followed football over the last several decades, Rivaldo's opinion carries real weight. The Brazilian legend, often remembered for his wizardry at Barcelona and as a hero of Brazil's national squad, isn't shy about ranking today's best. When pressed about the greatest footballer in the world, Rivaldo puts Lionel Messi above the rest—even above Cristiano Ronaldo, who is often considered either Messi's peer or his only true rival.
Rivaldo describes Messi as a player who doesn't just score goals—he turns the tide of a game with creativity and unpredictability. Talk to any Barcelona fan (or even their rivals!) and you'll hear stories of Messi making magic from nothing, making defenders look silly, and rescuing points when hope seems lost. Rivaldo says he would've loved to play alongside Messi, imagining what the two could've created on the pitch.
What about Cristiano Ronaldo? Rivaldo gives credit where it's due, noting Ronaldo's knack for scoring and his physical prowess. But he argues that, while Ronaldo terrorizes goalkeepers, Messi rewrites the script, influencing every phase of the game. In Messi's view, the Argentine gives Barcelona an edge that's hard to match, not just through goals, but through vision and selfless play.
El Clásico Predictions and Neymar's Big Move
When asked about the 2017 El Clásico, Rivaldo didn't pick sides. Instead, he called it evenly matched and confidently predicted a 2-2 draw, pointing out that neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid could be considered favorites that year. For fans on both sides, it's a rare bit of balance from a former Barça star, acknowledging the relentless quality and rivalry between the clubs.
The subject of Neymar's headline-grabbing move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain also came up. Rivaldo didn't mince words—he saw the financial boost and career motivations as fair reasons for Neymar's switch. Switching clubs for a massive payday, global exposure, or a new challenge isn't a betrayal, Rivaldo argued; it's part of the modern game.
Looking ahead, Rivaldo speculated that we might one day see Neymar at Real Madrid but suggested it wasn't on the cards any time soon. Such a move would add even more fuel to the ongoing saga of football's most controversial transfers.
But it's not all about Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar, Rivaldo insists. He pointed out that his own era—think of stars like Zidane, Figo, and Ronaldinho—offered a much broader range of superstars, not just a handful dominating all the headlines and award circuits. He hinted that today's coverage risks making football less diverse in terms of icons and global stars, something the current generation is missing out on.
When it comes to his own fitness, Rivaldo credits a strict regimen and steering clear of bad habits for helping him stick around so long at the top. He couldn't resist a little playful confidence either, joking that if he were still in his prime, he'd have been right there in the Ballon d'Or mix, giving Messi and Ronaldo a proper race for the footballing crown.
Rivaldo's perspective fuses respect for today's giants with a bit of nostalgia for when football felt a little less predictable and the pool of legends seemed larger. Whether you agree with him or not, nobody can say the man lacks an opinion—or the credentials to back it up.
