Edinson Cavani leaves former Man Utd team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo off list of ‘geniuses’ that includes Lionel Messi, Neymar & Ronaldinho

Veteran Uruguayan striker Cavani spent the 2021-22 campaign working alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford. He saw the Portuguese hit 24 goals that season, but a second spell in England did not work out as planned for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Ronaldo is still going strong at the age of 39 with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, but is not considered to sit on a list of God-given talents – with the evergreen frontman considered to be a product of hard work and relentless personal drive.

Cavani, who is now on the books of Argentine giants Boca Juniors, has told ESPN when asked if he considers himself to be a football genius: “No, honestly no. There are other geniuses: Messi, Neymar, Ronaldinho, [Diego] Maradona. I am a football player who has polished myself, improved and I have the hunger for goals and to always seek glory, and to win, and to want, and to go... One improves and things happen. Sacrifice pays off.”

Cavani, who has also represented the likes of Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain in his distinguished career, added on the genius topic: “Geniuses often find it easier, even if they have a lot of work and professionalism behind them. Things come naturally to geniuses. Work pays off in all areas of life. I grew up watching my parents excel, in a humble family where nothing was lacking, but they made us realise that obtaining things cost a lot. That teaches you and you begin to see that my parents' sacrifice is being rewarded and you start giving it meaning and you start to develop. When you reach a certain point and make your decisions, you see that the most important recipe is work and dedication to what you do. And love for what you do. When you have a passion for something and you do it with love, you have to try to be the best. In a healthy way, for the sake of improvement, in any profession.”

Cavani is still scoring goals at the age of 37, having returned to his native South America, and will hope to continue emulating the likes of Messi and Ronaldo by extending his own professional playing career towards the age of 40.