Cruyff says Messi is better than "goalscorer" Ronaldo

Cruyff says Messi is better than "goalscorer" Ronaldo

Johan Cruyff has compared Cristiano Ronaldo with Lionel Messi. He underlined the virtues of both players, byt for the former Barcelona manager, there is no debate. His preference is clear: "For me, I have always liked small, technical players because that's a little what I was like. Ronaldo is a great player, but he's a goal scorer. He will never be the player that can create or force a team to play well. He cares about finishing. He is a great player." 

As for the Argentine, Cruyff says that "Messi is much more of a team player than Cristiano. He gives passes, produces many more assists... so for me, as a player, not a goalscorer, although he also scores a lot, the best is Messi. For me, there's a great difference between being a great player and a goalscorer." At the same time, the Dutchman is convinced that "the Ballon d'Or must be Messi's this year. There is no discussion." 

Cruyff continued that it's complicated to compare two players in the sense that each one has differenct characteristics and plays in a different position. "I always say, or try to explain, that I was considered the best player in Europe, but out goalkeeper was a better goalkeeper than me, the right-back was also a better full-back than me and the central midfielder was better there than me. However, they said that I was the best of the lot. You have to look at things differently. For me, what's important, always, is the team." 

In this sense, Cruyff reserves a special admiration for Xavi: "One of the best Barça players was Xavi because he was always in the middle of the pitch, controlling the tempo. He knew he had to pass to the full-back, when to hold back... Only a few people see that. It's difficult to explain because nobody understands." 

Finally, he also made reference to the style of play. "Of course I see differences between the current Barcelona and Pep Guardiola's side. You don't? I simply reply when you ask me. I don't want to criticise. You only have to see the characteristics of the players in the middle of the pitch."