Brazil legend Ronaldo has claimed that Lionel Messi is a legend already, even if he doesn’t win the World Cup this summer.
The Argentina international has been criticised by some for not repeating his Barcelona form for the national team.
But the World Cup’s leading goalscorer has insisted that the former Ballon d’Or winner has already done enough to be considered one of the greats.
“He can win that [the World Cup]. He has not retired yet, has he? And he is only 26,” Ronaldo told the Times of India.
“Moreover, in the history of football, there are players who did not win the World Cup but are considered as great as any other footballer.
“If you win the World Cup, it gives your status a boost. However, if you cannot, you can still be among the all-time best.
“I saw him [Messi] in Barcelona in his early years there and spoke about him with Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho was full of praise for the boy and when we saw him, we knew why Ronaldinho was so appreciative.
“Messi is really a different class. To win four consecutive Ballon d'Ors is a great achievement.”
