Cristiano Ronaldo told he is 'not a genius' like Lionel Messi as Fabio Capello insists answer to GOAT question is 'very simple'

Portuguese superstar Ronaldo is the only man to have got close to eternal rival Messi over the course of their remarkable playing careers. Two all-time greats boast 13 Ballons d’Or between them and countless entries in the history books.

They are two of the most decorated players to have ever graced the game – claiming domestic, continental and international honours – with their exploits on the goalscoring front unlikely to be repeated. Capello is, however, eager to point out that one star rises higher than the other when it comes to comparisons between two icons of world football.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus boss told reporters at the Laureus World Sport Awards: “[Ronaldo] is a great player. He won titles, he won the Ballon d’Or, but as I said before, it’s not as great as how Messi has been. For me, if you talk to me about Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, I will say Messi. Ronaldo is a great scorer, shoots, does everything, knows how to do everything, but he is not a genius. Very simple.”

Ronaldo and Messi are both going strong in 2024, despite now being 39 and 36 years of age respectively. CR7 has broken the 40-goal barrier again at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, while his Argentine foe is starring for Inter Miami in MLS, and both have international trophies to chase down this summer at European Championship and Copa America events.