After GOAT Debate Snub, Cristiano Ronaldo Again Overlooked for Lionel Messi by Gerard Pique in Ultimate Dream Team Selection

Gerard Pique has been quite candid and even blatant with his takes on the GOAT debate. He declared that it was over after Lionel Messi won the World Cup title with Argentina. When questioned further, the Barcelona legend iterated that he rated Messi’s career above that of Cristiano Ronaldo. And Pique’s opinion holds weight among soccer fans since he played alongside both of them. Now, the 37-year-old has left CR7 out of a dream team again!

Gerard Pique, the founder of the Kings League, snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo when he was building a 7-a-side dream team. During a recent interview with Sky Sports, he chose a 3-2-1 formation for his team. The Barcelona legend picked Iker Casillas as his goalkeeper. He then chose Carles Puyol, Rio Ferdinand, and himself to complete the team’s defense. He picked Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas to occupy the midfield. Then he said, “Up front… Leo Messi.” The interviewer quickly asked Pique if Ronaldo wouldn’t suit the position. “I have to choose one striker and between Leo and Cristiano, I choose Leo,” the veteran defender asserted with a wide smile on his face.

Thereafter, Pique said he would want to feature a team like this in the upcoming 2024 Kings World Cup with some of these players! Anyhow, the soccer legend’s affinity for Messi doesn’t come as a surprise. Firstly, he spent his childhood and teenage years with the Argentine in La Masia. Later, the duo shot to superstardom while playing for the senior team. A few days ago, Pique said that he considers the Argentine as the GOAT. While doing so, he recalled an old yet sweet memory. Let’s dive deeper.

Gerard Pique reminisces about a ‘crazy small’ Lionel Messi who ‘wowed’ everyone!

In a recent interview, Gerard Pique gave a reality check to Erling Haaland, mentioning the difficulties of reaching the same level as Messi and Ronaldo. During the same conversation, the Kings League founder unsurprisingly spoke of Messi’s greatness, labeling him as ‘the best in history.’ Going back in time, he said, “When he arrived he was very small, very thin, crazy small. When we saw him first we thought if we touched him we’d destroy him so be careful”.

However, then Gerard Pique and others realized it was impossible to touch the ball when Messi had it, let alone tackle and stop him. The 2010 World Champion said that the reaction they had was ‘Wow, what is this?’, to a young Messi’s trickery. Hence, when asked to name the best player ever, he unhesitantly named the Argentine icon, and said, “He’s the greatest player in the history of the game for sure”.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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