Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have named the toughest opponents they have ever faced, but one thing may surprise everyone.
Messi and Ronaldo are two of the greatest players in football history, having won almost every trophy in the history of the game while playing for some of the world’s top clubs.
While some of the best defenders in history have struggled to stop the duo, few have been able to beat them.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo once admitted that Ashley Cole, widely regarded as the greatest left-back of the Premier League era, was the toughest opponent he ever faced.
Ashley Cole is Ronaldo’s toughest opponent (Image: Getty).
Ronaldo and Cole have faced each other many times in the Premier League, as well as on international duty for Portugal and England.
Speaking to Coach Mag, Ronaldo said: “Over the years, I’ve had some big battles with Ashley Cole. He doesn’t give you a second to breathe. Cole is a very persistent player when he’s at his best, quick, strong in his tackles. You know it’s never going to be an easy game.”
Surprisingly, Messi’s toughest opponent is less well-known. Speaking in 2020, El Pulga admitted to FourFourTwo: “Pablo Maffeo from Girona was the toughest opponent. I’m never one to complain, but that game was intense!”
Messi found it difficult to be marked by Pablo Maffeo (Image: Getty).
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recalled Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Girona in 2017, when Maffeo, then 20, on loan from Manchester City, marked him.
Speaking after the game, the young defender, now playing for Mallorca, explained (via GiveMeSport): “Messi told me: ‘I’ll keep you here all day’ and I said: ‘You’re the best in the world, I won’t leave you.'”
“Messi asked me how old I was, if I was assigned by Manchester City and how life was there. He said it wasn’t easy being marked by me.”
