Di Maria names Messi the greatest player ever, calling him a “gift from above.”

Football icon Angel Di Maria has weighed in on the debate over who is the superior player between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, drawing on his experiences with both stars.

The Argentine winger was part of the Real Madrid squad that secured La Decima with Ronaldo and later helped Messi win his first FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Having ended his international career, Di Maria will not take part in the 2026 World Cup, where Messi and Ronaldo are both expected to compete for the trophy this summer.

Reflecting on his time with the two legends, Di Maria highlighted their differences. He said Ronaldo embodied relentless effort and the ambition to reach Messi’s level, while Messi possessed a natural talent he described as a “divine gift.”

In an interview on the official Ballon d’Or website, Di Maria noted, “Cristiano was the personification of relentless effort, day in and day out… Always aiming to match Leo Messi, who had pure natural talent, a divine gift.”

He added, “The other one (Cristiano) was dedicated to unyielding work to equal him and, at times, surpass him. This is why he has garnered numerous Ballon d’Or awards as well… There was a period when debates emerged regarding whether the Ballon d’Or should be given to the Champions League winner or to the player who scored more goals than the other. Ultimately, both players were closely aligned, each demonstrating their distinct strengths. However, in terms of work ethic, Cristiano is exceptional.”

Despite acknowledging Ronaldo’s commitment, Di Maria ultimately chose Messi as the superior player. He said it was an honour to play alongside both superstars but preferred Messi because the Argentine captain did not need to exert himself to compete at the highest level.

Di Maria remarked, “In my opinion, they are the two greatest players in history during this era, wouldn’t you agree? Additionally, there is Diego… However, the distinction between the two lies in their respective achievements and what each has accomplished.”

He continued, “In my view, Leo surpasses Cristiano due to his innate talent; he does not need to exert constant effort to match or equal another player. I enjoyed an excellent relationship with both of them, and I had the privilege of assisting each. It was a truly unique experience. The most fortunate occurrence in my career was playing alongside two individuals who have been vying for the Ballon d’Or for the past two decades.”