Iker Casillas, the legendary former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper, has added a new layer to the eternal debate over football's greatest player. When asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Casillas unequivocally named the Argentine as the toughest opponent he ever faced.
Casillas Picks Messi Over Ronaldo
Casillas, who spent the majority of his career at Real Madrid before finishing at Porto, faced some of the most prolific attackers in football history, including Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Didier Drogba. However, the 45-year-old had no hesitation when asked which player caused him the most problems. According to Albiceleste Talk, Casillas stated: "The striker that gave me sleepless nights? Messi." He further explained: "Was Messi or Cristiano harder to face? I never had to face Cristiano at club level, though I did play against him with Portugal, but I think Messi was harder."
Context of the Rivalry
Casillas’ admission is significant given his long-standing rivalry with Messi during the peak of the Real Madrid-Barcelona clashes. While Ronaldo was a teammate at Real Madrid for several years, Casillas never faced him in club football, limiting their direct encounters to international matches. The goalkeeper's comments underscore the immense respect Messi commands even among his fiercest competitors.
Casillas' Admiration for Messi
This is not the first time Casillas has expressed admiration for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Earlier this year, he revealed a career regret: never sharing a dressing room with Messi. In April, Casillas said: "I would have liked to play with Messi at Real Madrid and with Zidane in the national team." This statement surprised many, given the intense rivalry between the two clubs during their playing days.
The Phone Call After the Heart Attack
Perhaps the most touching story involving the two legends emerged when Casillas spoke about the heart attack he suffered in 2019. While training with Porto, he experienced a cardiac episode and was rushed to hospital. The next day, he received a call from an unknown number. It was Messi. "He said, ‘Hey, Iker, I didn’t have your number, but Piqué gave it to me. I hope you get better soon. I sent you a bouquet of flowers; I hope you like it,’" Casillas recalled. He added: "Honestly, I was impressed by his humility. He didn’t have to call me; before that, we weren’t even friends."
Messi's World Cup Preparations
Casillas' comments come as Messi prepares for what is expected to be his final FIFA World Cup with Argentina. The Inter Miami captain recently missed a friendly victory over Honduras due to muscle fatigue and a minor hamstring strain. Despite fitness concerns, Messi remains central to Argentina's hopes of retaining the trophy they won in 2022. He currently holds the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 matches and is closing in on Miroslav Klose's all-time scoring record, needing four more goals to surpass 16.
