One of every professional football player’s greatest dreams is to play with either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City once stated which player he would prefer to play with.
Not all players are as fortunate as some, such as Paulo Dybala, Alejandro Garnacho, and Angel di Maria, who have been able to line up with two of the greatest football players of all time during their careers.
In a passionate statement to the Emirates Stadium, De Bruyne recently revealed his intention to quit his Premier League employers at the end of the 2024–2025 season; nevertheless, he has not yet had the pleasure of playing alongside either.
After an incredible ten years in England under Pep Guardiola’s leadership, he is now 33 years old, has amassed 106 goals and 176 assists in 414 club games, and will likely leave as one of their best players ever.
De Bruyne was involved in the age-old question in 2023, when he was at the height of his abilities, but it had a twist. The Belgian was asked who he would want to play with, rather than which of the two was better.
De Bruyne went on to explain that he and Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, are similar in their style of play, saying, “Messi is still more of a playmaker. Because I’m a playmaker, you can give me a striker.” Perhaps to some surprise, Manchester City’s creator-in-chief, who is widely considered to be among the greatest attacking midfielders in the history of the beautiful game, chose Ronaldo over the brilliance of former Barcelona posterboy Messi.
And maybe to some surprise, Ronaldo was chosen over the brilliance of former Barcelona posterboy Messi by Manchester City’s creator-in-chief, who is generally considered to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the history of the beautiful game. He stated:
Ronaldo, I would think, as he is more of a conventional striker.
De Bruyne continued by explaining that he and Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who holds the record, play the game similarly. “Messi continues to be more of a facilitator. You may give me a striker because I create plays.
Kevin De Bruyne on if he would prefer to play with Ronaldo or Messi: “I would say Ronaldo because he’s more of a typical striker. Messi is more of a playmaker. I’m a playmaker, you can give me a striker”
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De Bruyne has had the annoyance of playing against both teams even though he hasn’t been on the same squad as either throughout his career. Given that he has met the Portuguese wonder three times, his 66% (2/3) win rate is not to be taken lightly.
Has he, however, had the same level of success as Messi, who was born in Rosario? No, to put it plainly. De Bruyne has only succeeded once in their four meetings, which have taken place both domestically and internationally.
During the 2016–17 Champions League season, they defeated Messi’s Barcelona 3–1. On the Citizen’s memorable night, he scored a free kick, but the inevitable Argentine also ended up on the scoresheet.
Naturally, there is a good potential that De Bruyne might be linked to one of Messi or Ronaldo given his current situation, Major League Soccer (MLS) play, and the Saudi Pro League’s lucrative financial package.
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