The vs debate has divided the for two decades, but what do the game’s top managers think?

fans have seemingly been when it comes to who they feel is the sport’s greatest star. Prioritising either the technical ability and whimsy of the Argentinian wizard or the sheer scoring prowess and bullish physicality of the Portuguese forward can.

However, it is not just fans who are, as those within the professional sphere about who they side with. Though some may be slightly biased on account of having managed either of the two super stars, Football takes a look at the perspective of the game's premier head coaches on the eternal Messi vs Ronaldo narrative.

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Legendary boss Sir ’s choice between the iconic duo may be a pretty obvious one, given the Scotsman can be credited with bringing Ronaldo into the limelight and nurturing him into the world-beating talent he is today.

He told Sports Illustrated in 2016: “Now don’t get me wrong, Messi is a fantastic player; it’s like he’s wearing slippers when he controls the ball. But here, for me, is the difference. Messi is a player.

“But Ronaldo could play for Stockport County and score a hat trick. He has everything. He can shoot with both feet, head the ball, and he’s as brave as a lion."

Any prizes for guessing who current boss chose in the Ronaldo vs Messi debate? Though Frank Rijkaard ascended Messi into Barcelona's first team, Guardiola helped morph him into the player who scored 91 goals in a calendar year and won Spanish football’s first treble in 2009.

"Messi is the best, he is definitely the best,” Guardiola told in 2016. “He knows how to play, score and make the other players play. He is always there. With all the respect to all the players, first to - congratulations to him for the award - I think Messi is on another level."

Another boss who has directly managed one of the pair, legend Zinedine Zidane returned to the Bernabeu in 2016 as head coach, winning the in each of his three seasons.

Aided by Ronaldo, the Frenchman also guided Los Blancos to a league title and a domestic cup before leaving in 2018, just as the great Portuguese ace departed for .

Zidane said at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2017: "There have been many players who have made history at this club [Real Madrid]. But nobody has done what he [Ronaldo] has - the statistics speak for that. What he has done is impressive. So I think yes [he is the best in history]."

Someone who has felt the brunt of both superstars as opposed to graciously managing them is Diego Simeone. The Atletico Madrid boss sided with his compatriot, perhaps not too surprising given Ronaldo's links to Real Madrid.

Since taking over in 2011, Simeone has worked wonders in the Spanish capital, leading his side to an unlikely pair of titles. Yet, bested often by Messi and Barcelona and put the sword twice by Ronaldo and Real in the Champions League final, the sight of either player is probably enough for him to break out in cold sweats.

“If I had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo, then most likely I would choose Messi,” Simeone said in 2018. “If you have the chance to sign one of them for a normal club, with normal players, Ronaldo would probably fit in better. But with Messi, surrounded by great players, Messi is better than Ronaldo.”

Yet another manager who has suffered at the hands of one of the two icons, long-time boss has rather nonchalantly sided with Messi.

Klopp’s Reds were twice beaten in the Champions League showpiece in 2018 and 2022, with the former featuring Ronaldo. But that didn't influence the iconic German manager's opinion.

Speaking during a Q&A at an LFC Foundation event, Klopp was asked his take on the debate, to which he responded: “I have one selfie on my smartphone. That’s with Messi. Cristiano was in the room, as well…”

Former England manager Fabio Capello was two years away from managing Ronaldo at the Bernabeu when he departed in 2007 - the star arriving in 2009.

The Italian boss, who has also managed Juventus, AC Milan, and Roma, sided with the Argentinian for his creative flair and footballing IQ.

"It's one thing to be an outsider and another thing to be a genius,” he told . “The difference is enormous since a genius does what nobody imagines. Ronaldo is an extraordinary footballer, but Messi is a genius."

He might not be one of the world's top manager just yet, but current Plymouth Argyle boss also has an interesting take on the debate. After all, he partnered Ronaldo at United for five seasons and played against Messi in the Champions League.

Such allegiances have, however, been thrown aside by Rooney, who, instead of choosing his former team-mate, has opted for rival Messi.

“Messi,” Rooney answered when asked who he sides with on the Pardon My Take podcast. “I think I've said this before, but they're both probably the best two players to ever play the game. I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest ever."

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