Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is not as skilful as his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, according to former England coach Fabio Capello.
As Barca superstar Messi nears the La Liga all-time top scorer record – of which he will pass if he nets twice at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday – Capello has paid tribute to the four-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi moved to within one goal of Telmo Zarra’s record for Athletic Bilbao during the 1940s and 1950s, having scored on seven occasions for Barcelona this season.
That, however, pales into insignificance in comparison to Ronaldo’s 16 league goals this term – the Portuguese currently 10th on Spain’s leading scorers list.
The pair may have a very similar goalscoring record for their respective teams and are the only two active players in Spain’s top flight to have scored over 100 goals, but Russia boss Capello believes that the Barca star – whom he tried to sign for Juventus in 2005 – has the edge over his rival when it comes to technical ability.
“Cristiano is a powerful player, with very good technique, but he does not possess the pure technical skill of Messi,” Capello told Spanish newspaper AS.
“Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are two extraordinary players but they are different,” said the Russia manager, who attempted to sign Messi on loan for Juventus in 2005.
“Leo Messi is a very difficult player to play against.
“When I saw Messi play I knew he was special. I could see that he could do things that didn’t occur to other players.”