Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The former Manchester United boss is a fan of Barcelona star Neymar but feels he still has some way to go before he fulfils his talent

Sir Alex Ferguson claims there is no-one out there ready to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the title of the world’s best player.

Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

 

Former Manchester United boss Ferguson believes Messi and Ronaldo are out there on their own and have no immediate threat to their status as the best on the planet.

Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Neymar has been touted as a contender to Messi and Ronaldo, but Ferguson claimed the Barcelona and Brazil star has yet to justify the hype around him.

 

“You’ll always look at clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United to produce that kind of player you’re talking about,” said Ferguson.

 

 

ReutersMan United Director, Sir Alex Ferguson arrives

“But to be honest I’m not sure there’s one sticking out at the moment. The boy Neymar gets a lot of publicity about the potential he’s got, but I think that’s still to be seen, still to be fulfilled.

 

“Certainly, most people I speak to speak highly of the boy. When I had Anderson at United, he spoke volumes about the boy’s ability.

 

“So hopefully he’ll be the next one who’ll produce the type of talent we see in Messi and Ronaldo.”

Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

In a rare interview, Ferguson hailed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti – who is under pressure at the Bernabeu and on Manchester City’s radar – as one of the best coaches in the world,

Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty ImagesHead coach Carlo Ancelotti (2L) of Real Madrid chats with Luka Modric (R) and Gareth Bale during a training session

Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Sir Alex Ferguson: No one in world football can challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

And Ferguson suggested Ancelotti would have no trouble walking straight into another big job if Real ended this season empty-handed and he is shown the door.

 

Real have never kept a manager in a season when he has not won a trophy, and Ferguson said: “I think these types of jobs are difficult, particularly if there are elections coming up.

 

“Real Madrid and Barcelona have elections every third year I think it is.

 

“It doesn’t matter who the manager is. The election for a new president will be based on the success of the football team and what player he can buy and what coach he is going to sack.

 

“There’s no doubt it works that way, but I don’t think Carlo is under pressure. He probably is, because, as you know, of the dynamics of that kind of football club.

 

“But, for me, Carlo is one of the best coaches I’ve ever come across and one of my biggest opponents, so I wouldn’t worry about his future, that’s for sure.”

Leave a Comment