Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has questioned Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest bold comment as he named himself ‘the best in history.’
Ronaldo has never doubted his ability and is one of the biggest soccer stars of all time. Messi and Ronaldo are often compared in the GOAT debate and despite growing older the pair are still performing to a high level.
Messi was named the 2024 MLS MVP while Ronaldo continues to score goals for fun in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, he’s bagged 81 goals in 89 appearances since leaving Europe.
CR7 is a highly respected player, but his recent ‘best in history’ comments have been questioned by Mascherano.
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Mascherano defends Messi
Messi has made a huge impact on and off the field for Inter Miami and has certainly taken the club on to new levels.
He finished as the club’s joint top-scorer in the MLS last season with 20 goals and played a crucial part in helping the side secure MLS Supporters Shield success.
While Messi is yet to sign a new contract with the Herons he continue to be leant upon by his teammates and manager in 2025.
Ronaldo recently took a dig at the quality of the MLS, and he has now boldly claimed that he is ‘the best in history’, something that Mascherano disputes.
The Inter Miami manager said: “I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and I do not have the need to analyze his opinions. It’s what he thinks.
“I have my own thoughts and it isn’t that.”
Both Messi and Ronaldo are so evenly matched that one of Inter Miami’s pre-season opponents simply named them both ‘the greatest.’
Messi ready for MLS opener
Despite Mascherano casting doubts on Messi’s pre-season minutes, the star has been a regular on the field.
While the Argentine star has only scored one goal so far the minutes in his legs will be much more important to Herons fans.
Ahead of the new MLS season, Inter Miami faces Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup where Messi will play a starring role.
Mascherano will be looking to Messi to help some of the club’s new signings bed in. Inter Miami has signed Maxi Falcon and Telasco Segovia in recent weeks, but neither has yet featured on the pitch for the Herons.
Tadeo Allende scored his first goal for the side and Messi will be looking forward to having some extra firepower in the team ahead of a challenging new season.
Inter Miami face New York City FC on the opening day of the 2025 MLS season.