Juventus legend asks players to follow Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps ahead of Lionel Messi who 'hardly even needed to train'

Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio has urged players to look to Cristiano Ronaldo as a role model rather than Lionel Messi. He claimed that the Portuguese superstar has worked hard to reach his level, while the Argentine superstar was born with talent.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Marchisio said that Ronaldo's dedication should be followed, as Messi hardly trained to reach his level. He added that the two players have shown different paths to reach the top and said (via GOAL):

“Follow Cristiano Ronaldo's example. If you have to find something in a player to become great champions, follow an example like his and not like Messi's. Why? He was already a star, but he had to build himself even more. He worked very hard to get where he is, the other [Messi] was a talent blessed by the Lord, who hardly even needed to train.”

Marchisio also claimed that Ronaldo has done well to adapt in different leagues and styles, while Messi hardly had to adapt. He said:

“The best thing about Ronaldo, he adapts. He adapted at 18/19, he adapted at Real Madrid, he adapted at Juve. He’s always adapting. He’s adapting now in Saudi, he’s adapted with Portugal. That’s why, for me, he is the best player in the world. I don’t think - no offence to Messi, he’s an unbelievable talent, but he’s never really had to adapt all these different parts of his game. Ronaldo, when he first came [to United], couldn’t head the ball!”

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the world of football for over 15 years, winning the Ballon d'Or 13 times between them. The Argentine has taken home the award eight times, while the Portuguese superstar has won it five times.

Kevin Prince-Boateng urged kids to follow Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi

Kevin Prince-Boateng spoke to Unscripted with Josh Mansour earlier this month, urging kids to follow Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi. He claimed that they can reach the Portuguese superstar's level and said (via World Soccer Talk):

“Young kids, don’t look up to Messi. Because you will never be like him. That’s the thing. You can never be Messi. He has received god-given talent in his left foot. We can never be like Messi. But, you can be kind of like Cristiano Ronaldo, because that is hard work. Of course he has talent too. But there was a point in Ronaldo’s career where he realized: ‘hey, I will stop the show, and I will put in hard work."

Lionel Messi has signed a contract with Inter Miami until 2028, while Ronaldo's new deal keeps him at Al-Nassr until 2027.