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Cristiano Ronaldo's former coach weighed in on the GOAT debate.
Italy football legend Andrea Pirlo recently contributed to the GOAT debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and his answer can be regarded as surprising.
Pirlo, who is in a GOAT conversation of his own for midfielders, went into coaching after retiring as a footballer. And in his just-under-a-season spell as Juventus's head coach, he was Cristiano Ronaldo's boss. Hence the surprise when he failed to pick the Portugal international over Messi in his latest media appearance.
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What Pirlo said
In an appearance on Italian Football TV at a location that looks to be on the facilities of the Old Lady, Pirlo participated in the viral social media game “this or that.”
The questioning format has become a theme in recent football-related interviews, with footballers or ex-pros offering two fellow or past professionals to pick “this or that.”
“Zlatan or Higuain?” Pirlo was asked. “Zlatan,” the former AC Milan midfielder responded assuredly. He went on to pick the Swede over Cavani, Balotelli, and Luis Suarez before eventually faced with “Zlatan or Totti,” in which he went for his former international teammate.
He picked the Roma football legend over Drogba, Christian Vieri, Karim Benzema, Wayne Rooney, Alessandro Del Piero, Andriy Shevchenko, and Kun Aguero but immediately selected Ronaldo, when the former Manchester United forward was the choice against Totti.
“CR7 or Messi” was the next question and Pirlo’s rampaging pace through the questions was halted. He said, “Difficult. Equal. I can't answer.”
The 45-year-old’s response underscores his respect for both players. It also goes to show his objectivity, as it would have been understandable to pick Ronaldo, his former player, over Messi.
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