Patrice Evra Opens Up on Why He Loves Lionel Messi Despite Ronaldo Being His GOAT

Patrice Evra Opens Up on Why He Loves Lionel Messi Despite Ronaldo Being His GOAT

  • Patrice Evra has revealed his admiration for Lionel Messi despite Cristiano Ronaldo being his GOAT
  • The retired French footballer has often been accused of having misgivings towards Messi due to his Ronaldo allegiance
  • But Evra has made it clear that despite his choice for Ronaldo in the GOAT debate, he holds the Argentine in high esteem

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has sought to clarify the perception that he dislikes Lionel Messi.

This notion has largely stemmed from Evra's well-documented allegiance to Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he shared a successful three-year spell at Manchester United between 2006 and 2009.

Patrice Evra has publicly disclosed his love for Lionel Messi despite preferring Cristiano Ronaldo as GOAT.
Patrice Evra has openly declared his admiration for Lionel Messi despite preferring Cristiano Ronaldo as GOAT. Photos by Robin Alam/ISI Photos and Mike Hewitt.
Source: Getty Images

Evra's relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo

During their time together, Evra and Ronaldo formed a formidable partnership on the left flank, contributing significantly to United's dominance in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Read also

Ex-Manchester United defender explains how to stop Messi, but exposes his lethal zone

This close bond naturally led Evra to favour Ronaldo in the perennial debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time.

Subscribe to watch new videos

However, the 43-year-old has emphasised that his admiration for Ronaldo does not equate to animosity toward Messi.

Evra reveals why he loves Lionel Messi

Addressing the misconceptions surrounding his views, the Frenchman made it clear that his preference for Ronaldo is not rooted in any disdain for the Argentine superstar.

"When fans hear that I prefer Cristiano over Messi, they assume I dislike Messi," Evra explained, as cited by Centre Goals.

He went on to assert that no true football lover could harbour ill feelings towards Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the sport's most gifted players.

Read also

Ronaldo begs Buffon for scoring the incredible bicycle kick in the 2018 UCL semi-final

"I believe that if someone hates Messi, they don't truly love football. But I love Messi!" Evra declared, highlighting his respect for Messi's extraordinary talent and contribution to the game.

In the highly polarised world of football fandom, where loyalty to one player often leads to criticism of another, Evra's clarification serves as a reminder that admiration for one great player does not necessitate the denigration of another.

Evra claims it's 'easy' to defend against Messi

In a previous publication, YEN.com.gh reported that Patrice Evra provided a compelling analysis of Lionel Messi, drawing from his personal experiences facing the Argentine legend.

The Frenchman shared his insights on the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner during an appearance on The Overlap podcast.

Evra claimed it was 'easy' to handle Messi but was quick to acknowledge that the Argentine transformed into a different beast when he shifted to a central position.

Read also

Ronaldo Shares His Joy After Clinching Champions League Top Scorer Crown

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe avatar

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe (Sports Editor) Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in digital journalism. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Integrated Rural Arts and Industry (2016). Godwin's career includes roles as a Presenter at VNTV, Sports Analyst at Obonu FM, and Football Writer for a myriad of sports websites. He joined Yen.com.gh in 2024 to cover sports. Email: godwin.tagoe@yen.com.gh.