Boateng says ‘youngsters must pay attention to Ronaldo’ but ‘Messi is above him’

Speaking in an interview with Diario AS, former Barcelona star Kevin-Prince Boateng has weighed in on the Lionel Messi – Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

The Ghanaian forward spent a short time at Camp Nou after arriving in a shock loan move from Sassuolo in January 2019. During that time, the 34-year-old got to work closely with Messi even though he made just four appearances for the Blaugrana.

Now, he has delivered his stance on the biggest debate in the world of football – who is better between Messi and Ronaldo.

Boateng was effusive in his praise for the Portuguese international, claiming that he is the ideal role model for youngsters to follow. However, he then went on to add that Messi was well above his arch-rival.

“For a young player, Ronaldo must be the best. He is the best example because he works hard. Even Quaresma or Nani had more talent when they were young than Ronaldo, but he works like nobody else because he wants to be the best,” he said.

“With Messi it is different, he is already sensational. He does things that no one else can do. I see him as if he were out of this world. In this world Ronaldo rules, but Messi is above him,” he then went on to add.

Messi left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain last summer but has had a difficult spell in the French capital thus far. However, 2021 was a memorable year for the Argentine as he won the Copa America with the national team while also bagging his seventh Ballon d’Or award.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo returned to his old stomping grounds, Manchester United, in the summer and has been in decent touch. However, the Red Devils are struggling as a team and could even miss out on Champions League qualification for next season.