David Beckham insists Cristiano Ronaldo ‘is not at Lionel Messi’s level’

April 19, 2020

David Beckham has weighed in on the Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo debate – and believes that the Barcelona talisman is the greatest player in the world.

The Manchester United legend insists that both superstars are a level above the rest of the sport, but views Messi as also being in a class of his own.

Beckham, who came up against Messi during his brief stint at Paris Saint-Germain, insists it is ‘impossible’ that any player comes close to matching the diminutive Argentine’s talent.

Despite the latter’s stellar form across his spells at United, Real and Juventus, Beckham shared his belief that Messi stands at the pinnacle of the game.

‘He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him,’ Beckham told Argentine publication Telam.

‘He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.’

And having spoken highly about the 32-year-old Messi, Beckham also recalled his encounter on the field against the wing wizard in the 2013 Champions League.

PSG and Barcelona clashed at the quarter-final stage, with the Parisians knocked out of the competition on away goals.

The 44-year-old added: ‘We were leading before Messi came in, and once he came in, Barcelona scored.

‘Although I enjoyed playing at that level at my age, I do not like to lose. Our team played well. In both matches, we did things we should be proud of.

‘We didn’t lose against Barcelona, and that is something that should motivate us.’

Despite the crushing European disappointment, Beckham rounded off his glittering playing days with a Ligue 1 winners’ medal at the end of the campaign.