For nearly two decades, the question of who stands taller between&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a>&nbsp;has dominated soccer debates. Goals, trophies, Ballon d’Ors, and unforgettable performances have all fueled the fire, but there has always been another narrative: that Ronaldo’s unmatched success comes largely from his tireless work ethic, while Messi is carried more by natural talent. Now, one of the game’s greats has stepped in to challenge that idea, arguing that the story isn’t as one-sided as many fans have been led to believe.



On Dutch television, two icons of European soccer went head-to-head in a spirited discussion about the&nbsp;GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate. Ruud Gullit took the familiar position of praising Ronaldo’s discipline and dedication, describing him as the perfect role model for aspiring players.



“Messi or Ronaldo? Look, I think Cristiano Ronaldo is a pure idol for any kid because of how hard he worked. Lionel Messi is simply a natural phenomenon, like [Diego] Maradona. But Ronaldo really worked very hard,”&nbsp;Gullit told&nbsp;Ziggo Sport. But sitting across from him, his fellow Dutchman wasn’t convinced.



At that point,&nbsp;Marco van Basten&nbsp;jumped in to defend Messi, making it clear that the Argentine’s longevity and brilliance were impossible without a level of dedication equal to Ronaldo’s. “Ronaldo worked hard, but do people forget that Messi is still playing football? The man is 38 years old. He lives for his sport just as much as Ronaldo and worked just as hard. Because you can’t be as good as Messi at 38 without working hard,”&nbsp;Van Basten replied firmly.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250910_WST_589944_Messi-and-Ronaldo-1200x675_d6d03985.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-542382" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



With those words, Van Basten directly&nbsp;dismissed the myth that Messi’s genius comes only from natural talent, insisting that behind the magic lies the same relentless commitment that has defined Ronaldo’s career.



<h2>Messi’s future in doubt</h2>



The debate comes at a time when&nbsp;Lionel Messi’s future with Argentina&nbsp;is under intense speculation. Speaking after scoring twice in a&nbsp;3-0 win over Venezuela in Buenos Aires, the World Cup champion admitted that age is catching up with him.



“The same thing I said before: I don’t think I’ll play another World Cup. Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it, but I’m excited, motivated, and, as I’ve always said, I take it day by day, game by game. Today was the last one here,”&nbsp;Messi said.



At 38, the Inter Miami star still looks sharp, but he acknowledged the physical demands of soccer might eventually weigh too heavily.&nbsp;“The priority is to feel good and be honest with myself. When I enjoy being on the field, I want to keep going, but if I don’t feel right, I prefer not to be there,”&nbsp;he explained.

Who really works harder, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Legend sets record straight on work ethic debate

Who really works harder, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Legend sets record straight on work ethic debate - World Soccer Talk

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Feyenoord and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/roma-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Roma</a> are facing off in Europe for the third consecutive season, and that brings back memories of antics from Jose Mourinho. The two teams are playing in an upcoming <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> knockout round playoff tie. The Dutch side qualified for the phase after finishing third in Group E of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a>. The Italians, however, advanced to the second-tiered competition by being runners-up in their Europa League group.



Roma’s contentious manager Jose Mourinho has an interesting history with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/feyenoord-tv-schedule/">Feyenoord</a>. The Portuguese coach previously faced the Dutch side while with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> in 2016. Before their Europa League group-stage clashes, Mourinho <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2663638-feyenoord-vs-manchester-united-jose-mourinhos-key-pre-match-presser-quotes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> that his team did not want to be playing in the competition. Feyenoord and United each won a game against each other in that campaign.



<h2>Roma, Feyenoord have feisty recent history</h2>



Mourinho then played the Dutch club with Roma in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/conference-league-tv-schedule/">Europa Conference League</a> Final in 2022. The match was a tight affair. Roma eventually edged Feyenoord 1-0 on the night. The two sides then met yet again during last season’s Europa League quarterfinals.



Feyenoord won the first matchup 1-0, but Roma advanced after crushing the Eredivisie side 4-1 in the return leg. Mourinho and Feyenoord coach Arne Slot traded verbal jabs in press conferences throughout the tie. The Portuguese coach, however, then <a href="https://www.sportbible.com/football/jose-mourinho-as-roma-europa-league-arne-slot-feyenoord-565847-20230421" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shouted</a> at Slot after Roma’s big win to knock off Feyenoord.



Former Feyenoord star Ruud Gullit answered questions about yet another matchup against Mourinho. Gullit initially pointed out the big opportunity facing Roma yet again. However, the former Dutch star then made an interesting comment regarding Mourinho.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231219_WST_478269_Feyenoord-Roma-Europa-League-1200x675_21d03b50.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-478346" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Feyenoord-Roma-Europa-League-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Feyenoord-Roma-Europa-League-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Feyenoord-Roma-Europa-League-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Feyenoord-Roma-Europa-League.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



“AS Roma again. I think this is really an opportunity to show that things can be done differently and you don’t have to win it nicely,” <a href="https://1908.nl/artikelen/gullit-adviseert-slot-stop-zo-veel-mogelijk-veren-in-mourinhos-reet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Gullit. “Now do it right for once. Put as many feathers up Mourinho’s a** as possible, because that’s what you have to do.”



<h2>Slot praises Mourinho in recent press conference</h2>



Slot, however, heaped praise on Mourinho after learning his familiar Europa League opponents. “I just think it’s fantastic to be able to play against them again. I’m not that surprised,” <a href="https://romapress.net/feyenoords-arne-slot-says-its-fantastic-to-face-roma-again-in-europa-league/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> the Feyenoord manager. “If you get past the group stage of a European competition three years in a row, there’s a good chance you’ll be facing successful managers.”



“José Mourinho is perhaps the most successful manager of recent years. Every game between the two of us was close and fantastic, but I didn’t get the result I wanted. Every challenge teaches you something. Roma play with a formation that we don’t often see in Holland. However, I will try to make the most of the things I learned in the last two encounters.”



Feyenoord will first host Roma on February 15th in the upcoming playoff round. The second leg of the tie will then return to Italy a week later. Roma has struggled a bit during the current campaign. Mourinho’s team sits eighth in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> table after winning just two of their last five matches. There have even been rumors that Roma officials are looking to part ways with their manager.



Feyenoord, on the other hand, is second in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/eredivisie-tv-schedule/">Eredivisie</a> at the moment. The club has lost just two of their 16 top-flight games so far this season.



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Gullit tells Feyenoord boss to ‘put feathers up Mourinho’s a**'

Former Feyenoord star Ruud Gullit has made some interesting comments regarding Jose Mourinho as Roma and Feyenoord face off once again.

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Who really works harder, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Legend sets record straight on work ethic debate

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Gullit tells Feyenoord boss to ‘put feathers up Mourinho’s a**'