The eternal debate between the Portuguese star and the Argentine genius has made a brief stop at Ighalo’s doorsteps, and the Nigerian forward has revealed his choice.
Odion Ighalo expressed his belief that Lionel Messi is a football wizard, but he’s more in awe of Cristiano Ronaldo’s hard work and application to match the Barcelona ace’s achievements.
Messi is one of the most gifted players on the planet, with the playmaker’s combination of close control, dribbling ability, and end product never before seen on a football pitch.
The 32-year-old has been well rewarded for his talents, claiming an unprecedented six FIFA Ballon d’Or awards alongside numerous other individual and team titles.
But Ronaldo has been the only player who has come anywhere close to matching Messi goal for goal, title for title, and honour for honour.
The 34-year-old was, until last year, at par with the Argentine forward on five Ballon d’Or honours before the South American added another in December.
The duo’s decade-long rivalry fuels an ongoing debate on who is the greatest of all time, with public opinion split almost 50-50.
If Ighalo was to, however, cast the deciding vote, it would be for the former Manchester United star because of his hard work, which any committed player can readily relate with.
In a recent Q&A with Ghanaian sports journalist Juliet Bawuah, the on-loan striker was asked for his favourite between Ronaldo and Messi.
“I would take Ronaldo,” Ighalo answered.
“Because of the hard work, I believe in hard work.
“Messi is blessed. Messi is a genius; he is incredible.
“But for Ronaldo to be putting in work every day to try to catch Messi, to try to win, to try to do everything, it is incredible.”