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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Eternal rivals have rewritten the history books</li><li>Boast countless records between them</li><li>Greatest of all-time debate continue to rage</li></ul>

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

Portuguese superstar <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/goat-cristiano-why-ronaldo-lionel-messi-man-utd-team-mate/blt5f71241b734ad018" target="_blank">Ronaldo is the only man to have got close to eternal rival Messi</a> 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.

WHAT HAPPENED?

They are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-together-bomb-real-madrid-star-dani-carvajal-refuses-pick-between-monsters-goat-debate/blt87ddb116237d421f" target="_blank">two of the most decorated players to have ever graced the game</a> – 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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-goat-debate-bayern-munich-thomas-muller-picks-winner-explains-choice/blt3ed1f1787d8c6feb" target="_blank">comparisons between two icons of world football</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

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.”

WHAT CAPELLO SAID

Ronaldo and Messi are both going strong in 2024, despite now being 39 and 36 years of age respectively. CR7 has<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-goal-message-rivals-portugal-al-nassr-superstar-1000/bltf77588a501ef4789" target="_blank"> broken the 40-goal barrier again at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a>, while his Argentine foe is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-lionel-messi-become-nightmare-for-mls-inter-miami-rivals-running-scared/blt113fe929e347869b" target="_blank">starring for Inter Miami in MLS</a>, and both have international trophies to chase down this summer at European Championship and Copa America events.

WHAT NEXT?

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

Cristiano Ronaldo is “not a genius” like Lionel Messi, says Fabio Capello, with the Italian claiming the answer to any GOAT question is “very simple”.