NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo recently weighed in on the age-old debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, declaring Ronaldo as his favorite. The Milwaukee Bucks player, who hails from football-crazy Greece, expressed his admiration for both players but ultimately resonated more with Ronaldo’s career journey.
During the All-Star Game’s Media Day, Antetokounmpo praised Messi as a pure talent and possibly the best player of all time. However, he identified more with Ronaldo’s mindset of hard work, discipline, and consistency over the years. The 41-year-old Ronaldo’s ability to maintain a high level of performance even at his age struck a chord with Antetokounmpo, making him lean towards the Portuguese star.
While acknowledging the achievements of both Messi and Ronaldo, Antetokounmpo highlighted the importance of their impact on the game. He emphasized that reaching a point where one must choose between Messi and Ronaldo is already a significant accomplishment in itself. Antetokounmpo expressed his aspiration to be in a similar position where people debate between him and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The ongoing rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has divided fans and sports icons alike, with each player garnering immense admiration for their unparalleled skills on the pitch. Antetokounmpo’s affiliation with Ronaldo was evident when he performed the ‘Siuuu’ celebration before facing Messi’s Inter Miami team in 2023, showcasing his support for the Portuguese star.
Apart from his basketball endeavors, Antetokounmpo has also ventured into the world of football as a part-owner of Nashville SC in the MLS and recently invested in the Chelsea Women’s team, underscoring his passion for the sport.
In other football news, Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane reached a significant milestone by scoring his 500th career goal during a Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen. Kane achieved this feat in 743 appearances, surpassing Ronaldo’s record of reaching 500 goals in 753 games. However, Messi remains the fastest player to reach the 500-goal mark, achieving the milestone in just 632 matches.
Antetokounmpo’s admiration for Ronaldo and his involvement in football showcase the widespread impact of the sport and the transcendent talents of players like Messi and Ronaldo. As the debate rages on about the greatest footballer of all time, Antetokounmpo’s perspective adds another layer to the ongoing discussion.
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