“The way he plays is incredible” – When Real Madrid hero Kaka was asked to pick between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Kaka picked Messi over Ronaldo back in 2020 [Getty]

Brazil legend Kaka once had to choose between his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The GOAT debate between the two footballing behemoths has been raging for over a decade now.

Kaka’s comments came back in 2020 during an Instagram Live Q&A for FIFA. When asked who he would pick between the two, the former AC Milan midfielder picked Messi, saying (via OneFootball):

“I played with Cristiano and he’s really amazing, but I’ll go with Messi. He’s a genius, a pure talent. The way he plays is incredible.”

The 2002 FIFA World Cup winner then opened up on Ronaldo’s positive attributes, saying:

“Cristiano is a machine. It’s not just the way he’s strong, powerful and fast; he’s strong mentally. He always wants to win and play. To be the best. For me, that’s the most incredible thing he has.

“In the history of sport, they [Messi and Cristiano] are definitely in the top five. We are very lucky to have been able to see both of them.”

Kaka and Ronaldo played 99 matches at Real Madrid together between 2009 and 2013 and combined for 21 goals. On the other hand, he faced Messi in 12 games for Real Madrid and Brazil, coming out on the winning side in four of them. Four games finished in Messi’s teams’ favor while four were drawn.

Another Brazil legend comments on Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry

Kaka’s Brazil captain, Cafu, who led the national side to the 2002 World Cup, also commented on the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo back in 2020.

While many former players and pundits make a definitive pick, Cafu chose to play safe and refused to pick one.

“We’re talking about the two powers of world football. They’ve been at the top for 15 years. One has won six awards, the other five. It’s so hard to pick between them. They’re both magnificent players,” Cafu told FIFA in an interview.

Messi added yet another silverware to his kitty recently, winning the Copa America 2024 with Argentina. Ronaldo’s Portugal, on the other hand, were knocked out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals by France.