The Atletico boss believes the new Juventus star would find it easier than Barcelona talisman to adapt to poorer team-mates
Diego Simeone rates Lionel Messi as a superior player to Cristiano Ronaldo despite believing the Juventus star is the better man for a bad situation.
A recording of Simeone stating his preference for Ronaldo emerged in the aftermath of Argentina’s shock 3-0 loss to Croatia at the World Cup.
But the Atletico Madrid head coach has now affirmed his belief that Barcelona ace Messi is the standout of the pair, on the condition he is surrounded by top talent.
Editors' Picks
Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over
The Argentina captain, Simeone reasons, would struggle to match Ronaldo’s output among lesser team-mates.
“If I had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo then most likely I would choose Messi,” Simeone told reporters.
“Yes I said [Ronaldo] on the video, but the conversation was between me and [Atleti assistant] German Burgos, talking about football as everyone talks about it.
“When I talked about Messi and Ronaldo it wasn’t from the perspective of who is the best in the world.
“I just meant that if you have the chance to sign one of them for a normal club, with normal players, Ronaldo would probably fit in better.
“But with Messi, surrounded by great players, Messi is better than Ronaldo.”
The record-breaking duo, who share five Ballons d’Or apiece, are set to compete in different leagues for the first time in a decade following Ronaldo’s transfer from Real Madrid to Juventus.
The Portugal star is set to take part in his first Juventus training session Monday.