‘He would have had 15 Ballons d’Or’

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra believes Lionel Messi would have won 15 Ballons d’Or if his work ethic mirrored that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Frenchman was teammates with Ronaldo between 2006 and 2009 winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Messi has won seven Ballon d’Or titles but Evra believes he could have won 15

The age-old debate over which of the two greats is superior has seen Evra always side with the Portuguese but now the former United left-back has given his opinion on what separates the two.

“I want to explain why I say Ronaldo every time. It’s not because he’s our brother, it’s because I’m in love with work ethic,” Evra told Rio Ferdinand’s Five YouTube channel.

“I feel like [with] Messi, God just gave him a talent and Cristiano had to work for it. He had the talent but he had to work for it.

“If Messi had the same work ethic as Cristiano Ronaldo, he would probably have like 15 Ballons d’Or today.

“I’m just in love with people working hard so that’s why I pick Ronaldo over Messi.”

Evra also confirmed what other former teammates have said about the Portuguese star – avoid a lunch date with him!

Evra made the Messi claim on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE Youtube channel

@cristiano on Instagram

Ronaldo has always maintained a high-level physique throughout his career

Ronaldo is famed for his clean living lifestyle consisting of healthy foods to help fuel his performance whilst staying in optimum shape.

And that means if you visit him for lunch, there are only healthy options on the menu.

Evra explained: “You are going to have one of the most boring lunches at Cristiano’s – it is salad, plain chicken and water. There isn’t even fizzy water

“After that, we went into the garden, trained for a little bit, went swimming, went to the sauna and at one point I looked at him and said: ‘Bro, we have just finished a training session, why do we have to have a second training session?”

AFP

Ronaldo has been in sparkling form for Al-Nassr

And who can argue when Ronaldo who is still banging in the goals at the age of 38 for new side Al-Nassr.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has netted eight goals in seven games for the Saudi Pro league leaders.