Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says Lionel Messi has been a greater influence on his career than Cristiano Ronaldo after sampling both superstars.
The 28-year-old spent four years playing alongside the Portuguese forward at Manchester United before returning to Camp Nou and reacquainting himself with the No 10 in the summer of 2008.
“[Lionel] Messi’s the best ever. I don’t know if Neymar will one day surpass him, but they are two of the three or five best players in the world,” he told Cadena Cope.
“Neymar’s not a provocateur, not at all. With Cristiano, I had a very good relationship with him in Manchester, but I spent most of my life with Messi.
“[Messi has been] one of the most important people in my career because I earned everything I’ve won thanks to him and as a person he’s a 10, so I’d say Leo [was more influential].
“Of course Cristiano will overcome this bad patch. He has three Ballon d’Ors, so I don’t have doubts about him. Cristiano will come back, either today, tomorrow or another time.”
Pique then reflected on Real Madrid’s recent struggles, negative perceptions of both Neymar and Atletico Madrid, his favourites for the Champions League other than Barca and experience with the Spanish national team.
“I don’t think Real Madrid are behind Barca’s latest controversy. They’re a big club, our rivals, and from that, our rivalry can get mixed up,” he added.
“Real Madrid are a great team. Even if they’re having a bad spell, two months ago there were people who hailed them as the best ever. They’re still the team to beat in La Liga and the Champions League.
“Atletico aren’t violent. All great teams exceed their limits [at times].
“If [Barca] don’t win the Champions League then [my other favourite] is Chelsea because they have my friend Cesc [Fabregas].
“I feel very proud to have worn the Roja jersey, so proud. I owe a lot to [Coach Vicente] del Bosque.
“Whenever I haven’t been in a good situation with my club, he’s supported me and called me up, even when I weren’t playing. He’s one of the greatest Coaches in history.”
