Luiz Felipe Scolari Explains Why He Always Backed Cristiano Ronaldo Over Lionel Messi
Former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed why he always voted for Cristiano Ronaldo instead of Lionel Messi in Ballon d’Or polls. Scolari called Messi a natural genius but said Ronaldo became a genius through hard work and dedication.
He also praised Ronaldo’s intense training habits, emotional strength after his father’s death.
For the football world, the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remains one of the greatest stories of modern sport. Former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari recently shared why he always voted for Ronaldo instead of Messi in the Ballon d’Or polls. Scolari explained that Messi was naturally gifted from birth, while Ronaldo became a “genius” through hard work, discipline, and determination.
He recalled Messi once asking why he never received his vote, and Scolari replied that Ronaldo felt like a son to him after their long journey together with Portugal. The Brazilian manager also praised Ronaldo’s incredible dedication during his Manchester United days, revealing how Sir Alex Ferguson often worried about the Portuguese star overtraining by repeatedly practicing free kicks after matches. Scolari believes Ronaldo can still achieve the milestone of 1,000 career goals.
He also remembered the emotional moment when he informed Ronaldo about his father’s death before an international match, with Ronaldo still choosing to play and delivering a brilliant performance. Both Ronaldo and Messi are now preparing for what could be their final FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026.