Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Tottenham Manager Jose Mourinho on Juventus-Barcelona Icons GOAT Debate

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Mourinho also stated that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had placed the bar really high for Neymar, (Kylian) Mbappé and (Antoine) Griezmann.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – regarded as the greatest footballers of the modern era – are often compared with one another, which some may say is not a good idea. But with both the footballers enjoying a massive fanbase, debates and comparisons are bound to happen. Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho – someone who has seen the two legends from close quarters – gave his opinion about them.

Hailing both the footballers, Mourinho reckoned the (Messi and Ronaldo) were ‘lucky’ and ‘unlucky’ for being part of the same generation. He felt they were lucky because they could compete against each other, while he felt they were also unlucky as had there been just one in this generation, he would have got 10 Golden Boots.

Speaking to On the Touchline, Mourinho said: “I think they are lucky and unlucky to be in the same generation. They are lucky because they can compete against each other. They look to each other in a positive way and get extra motivation. If there was only one of them, they would have ten Golden Boots.”

Mourinho also stated that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had placed the bar really high for Neymar, (Kylian) Mbappé and (Antoine) Griezmann.

“Now, I think they have put the bar really high. And you have the players coming behind, who I like to call the ‘little monsters’. The bar has to be high, so it has to be incredible motivation for Neymar, [Kylian] Mbappé and [Antoine] Griezmann.”

Finally, the former Real Madrid manager signed off by saying that unfortunately, none of them is going to be there forever.

“Unfortunately, Cristiano and Messi will not last forever,” he concluded.

Reports suggest that Messi and Ronaldo may look to move out of their current clubs in the next season.