Di Maria Hails Ronaldos Professionalism, Names Messi as Football’s Greatest Player

Angel Di Maria said Cristiano Ronaldo is far ahead in professionalism and work ethic but believes Lionel Messi is the greatest due to his natural talent. He praised Ronaldo’s dedication, highlighted Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or wins, and named Kylian Mbappe as the world’s best player in 2026.

Doing the rounds in football media, Angel Di Maria has shared his honest views on the long running debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Speaking about his time at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2014, Di Maria praised Ronaldo’s professionalism, calling him number one by far in terms of discipline, work ethic, and consistency. He highlighted how Ronaldo’s constant effort to stay at the top helped him win five Ballon d’Or awards, even while competing in Messi’s era.

However, despite admiring Ronaldo’s dedication, Di Maria still considers Messi the greatest of all time. According to him, Messi combines natural talent with ease, describing his ability as a gift from God. He pointed out that while Ronaldo achieved greatness through hard work, Messi made brilliance look effortless, which sets him apart.

Di Maria also shared his thoughts on the current football scene, naming Kylian Mbappe as the best player in the world in 2026. He praised Mbappe’s development and impact, saying he has become a true game changer and a future Ballon d’Or winner.

At 37, Di Maria has returned to Rosario Central and remains confident about his decision to retire from international football in 2024. He believes he completed his journey after winning major titles with Argentina, including the World Cup in 2022 and Copa America, and is now happy to watch the next generation take over.