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Di Maria praises Ronaldo's work ethic, favors Messi as greatest

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 3, 2026, 2:30 PM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

Di Maria praises Ronaldo's work ethic, favors Messi as greatest

Summary

Angel Di Maria spoke positively about Cristiano Ronaldo's dedication in a recent interview but maintained that Lionel Messi is his top choice for the greatest player. He acknowledged Ronaldo's relentless effort to match Messi's natural talent, stating that Ronaldo's professionalism and discipline stand out. Di Maria's unique perspective comes from playing alongside both players in significant moments, adding weight to his comparisons. He noted that the discourse surrounding the Ballon d'Or has evolved over time, reflecting how each player's unique strengths have shaped their legacies in football.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Di Maria praised Ronaldo's hard work and professionalism.
•He believes Messi's natural talent gives him an edge over Ronaldo.
•Di Maria has played with both stars at club and international levels.
•The Ballon d'Or debate has evolved over their careers.
•Di Maria noted Ronaldo's discipline has kept him competitive.

Latest Updates

2:30 PMYahoo Sports — Angel Di Maria applauds Ronaldo’s one otherwordly ability, but doesn’t think he’s better than Messi

What they're saying

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Angel Di Maria has praised Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary work ethic while still making it clear that Lionel Messi remains his pick. The argument is not built on disrespect.
— Yahoo Sports

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Real Madrid Atletico Madrid Champions League Soccer