Nicolas Pépé Picks Lionel Messi the Better Player Over Cristiano Ronaldo

Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pépé has weighed in on football’s most heated debate, picking Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi ahead of Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking on Just Riadh’s YouTube channel, Pépé didn’t hold back as he explained why he believes Messi stands alone at the top of world football.

According to the former Arsenal winger, the conversation often focuses too heavily on statistics, which is where many lean toward Ronaldo. But for Pépé, pure footballing ability settles the debate.

Pepe said, “In the Messi-Ronaldo debates, I say Messi, but when you talk stats and what he offers, there are many who will say Ronaldo. “But if you are fair, really watch football, the experts say forget stats. Just football, Messi is insane. “I go further: prime Neymar looks Cristiano in the eyes. But look Messi in the eyes too? No, he doesn’t. Sorry, Messi slaps him twice. “Not by fantasy. That fantasy dribble, Messi doesn’t do it. But Messi hooks 7 or 8 players. Neymar does too, but Messi does it better. Ronaldo too.”