“Couldn’t be any better” – When Jurgen Klopp picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Few debates in football ignite as much passion as the comparison between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Over the years, players, managers, and pundits have weighed in with their own takes, each offering a unique perspective on two of the greatest to ever play the game. Among those who have been asked to choose is Jürgen Klopp, the charismatic German coach known for his honesty and deep respect for the sport. His answer, delivered with thoughtful nuance, has since become one of the most balanced yet telling contributions to the Messi-Ronaldo discourse.

When pressed to pick between the two icons, Klopp leaned slightly in favour of Messi. “For me, Messi,” he admitted, before quickly emphasising that this preference did not diminish his admiration for Ronaldo. In fact, Klopp was quick to call his respect for the Portuguese forward “immense,” describing it as impossible to grow any further than it already had. This, he explained, came from the experience of having faced both players and recognising how incredibly difficult they are to defend against.

Klopp broke down his reasoning with a manager’s eye for detail. He pointed out that Ronaldo’s game is built upon a combination of physical attributes and mental discipline that are almost superhuman. “If you could paint yourself a perfect player,” Klopp explained, “it would have Ronaldo’s height, his ability to jump, and the speed and quickness he possesses.” He then praised Ronaldo’s relentless professionalism, his unmatched work ethic, and the perfection in his attitude toward training and preparation — qualities Klopp described as “absolutely perfect” and “couldn’t be any better.”

Yet, despite acknowledging Ronaldo’s complete athletic package, Klopp found himself drawn to Messi’s style. The Argentine, he said, seems to operate under “much lower physical requirements from birth,” relying more on pure technical mastery and natural brilliance than on physical dominance. For Klopp, Messi’s genius lies in making the extraordinary look effortless. The Barcelona legend’s dribbling, vision, and balance give the impression of simplicity, but in reality, they are the product of unmatched football intelligence and instinct.

“There’s the small Messi who makes everything look so simple,” Klopp said with admiration, highlighting how the Argentine can control the tempo of a game without appearing to break a sweat. This effortless artistry, for Klopp, tipped the balance ever so slightly in Messi’s favour when comparing the two. However, he reiterated that this preference was purely about playing style, and that his respect for Ronaldo as a competitor and athlete remained unshakable.

Klopp also placed both players in a historical context, stressing their longevity as one of their most remarkable achievements. Many players have shown flashes of greatness, he said, but sustaining such a high level of performance for over 15 years is what truly sets Messi and Ronaldo apart. They have not only broken records but have redefined expectations for consistency and excellence in modern football.

In Klopp’s eyes, their shared legacy is as important as their individual talents. Both have dominated football for more than a decade, shaping the sport’s narrative in the process. Whether it’s Messi’s magic at Camp Nou and later in Paris and Miami, or Ronaldo’s relentless scoring at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr, their careers have run parallel in a way that has enriched the game for an entire generation.

The Liverpool manager also hinted at the possibility of the next generation following in their footsteps. While he acknowledged that younger stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland possess incredible potential, Klopp reminded fans that reaching the heights of Messi and Ronaldo isn’t just about talent. It’s about repeating greatness year after year, a challenge that is as mentally demanding as it is physically.

What makes Klopp’s take so compelling is the respect he shows to both men. In an era where the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate often devolves into tribal arguments, Klopp’s answer cuts through the noise. It’s a reminder that appreciating one does not require diminishing the other. For him, Messi might edge it on the pitch due to personal taste in playing style, but Ronaldo remains the embodiment of football’s perfect professional.

Ultimately, Klopp’s view reflects the sentiment of many in the game: that we are fortunate to have witnessed the careers of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Whether you prefer the artistic grace of Messi or the athletic dominance of Ronaldo, their combined influence has defined football’s modern era — and, as Klopp suggests, it’s a standard that may not be matched for decades to come.