Liverpool hero, Al-Ettifaq and current manager Steven Gerrard claims Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time – changing his stance on the topic
The debate has raged on in football for two decades and Steven Gerrard is the latest to speak out.
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Some believe that your answer to this question alone can serve as the basis for your entire outlook on football. Die-hard Messi fans will be disappointed by Gerrard’s recent comments, which seem to suggest that in his eyes, Ronaldo conquers everything.
Gerrard has lavished praise on the Saudi top flight in his role as Etifaq manager and claimed it’s the division that’s on everyone’s lips at the moment, but he praised the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s influence. Gerrard told the media: “We call him ‘The Goat’, Cristiano, and his arrival in January is obviously a huge signing.” Saudi Professional League . “He still has a lot of football to offer.
“So, for six months from now, I’ve been following Cristiano Ronaldo’s results in the league, watching some games and some highlights. I think from that moment on, leagues around the world have become A very popular topic for everyone. After Cristiano arrived, more big-name players, talented players and technical staff joined the league.”
There’s no denying the comments are complimentary and will go down well at Ronaldo HQ. However, the tune Gerrard is currently singing is very different from the one he belted out last April.
Back in Messi’s PSG days, Gary Neville asked Gerrard Overlapping YouTube channels He stood up in the ‘GOAT’ debate when the Liverpool legend was still in charge of Aston Villa and a move to Saudi Arabia was not on his mind.
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Gerrard is adamant that Messi has the upper hand over Ronaldo, telling Neville: “I think they’re both working on a different planet to every footballer who’s ever played, except maybe your Peles and Marado beyond acceptance.
“But for me Messi is more of a team player. If he shoots, he looks for the pass and obviously gets very, very good numbers individually as well.”
Since those comments, Messi has won the World Cup and turned down a move to Saudi Arabia in favor of life with Inter Miami in the United States. By contrast, both Gerrard and Ronaldo have set up shop in the Middle East, so it’s not difficult to determine why the Liverpool legend might now be singing the former Real Madrid player’s songs.
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Gerrard was not entirely wrong in his assessment, with many high-profile stars following Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. However, most, like Ronaldo, are nearing the end of their careers in the top flight.
If the Saudi Professional League is currently seen as a retirement home for players, it is hardly a breeding ground for new managerial talent, with some questioning Gerrard’s decision to accept his third top job in such a league.
Life in the Middle East has not been a dream start for the 43-year-old, who has managed just six wins in his first 13 games this season. As a result, Al-Ettifaq is currently seventh, 13 points behind league leaders Al-Hilal and nine points behind Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Discussing the scale of the task that awaits him, Gerrard was keen to stress that it is not something that can be accomplished in the short term. “This is not something you can solve in a week, a month or six months,” he added.
“It’s a project to build on the pitch, which is obviously the priority, but there are a lot of changes that need to be made around it to give the first team the support they need.”
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