I am Cristiano Ronaldo’s toughest opponent but Lionel Messi was too good for me

He was Cristiano Ronaldo’s toughest opponent and the ex-Manchester United man hated playing him, but Lionel Messi was this player’s true foe.

Ronaldo was one of the best dribblers the Premier League has ever seen, regularly making full-backs dread matchday as he left them dizzy.

In his first spell at the club from 2003 to 2009, he won three Premier League titles, one Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.

But for one defender, facing up to Ronaldo was just another day at work.

And it was actually his rival Messi that would prove more of a contest, despite playing against him far less.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cole is renowned as one of the best left-backs that the English game has ever seen, winning a record seven FA Cups, three Premier League titles and the Champions League in his career.

There are not many players that have got the better of the full-back and his battles with Ronaldo were often legendary.

Whether in red or blue, Cole always gave the former United superstar a handful.

But when answering questions from fans on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, the ex-England international was asked who was a tougher opponent between Ronaldo and Messi.

Replying immediately, Cole said: “It has to be Messi.

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“People talk about Ronaldo more because I played against him more.

“But I think to mark Messi, on his day… he was just too good for me.

“But, again, he’s never scored [against me].”

Chelsea and Barcelona have had some epic Champions League encounters over the years when Cole and Messi were sizing each other up.

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While they traded blows, it was one of the few teams that the Argentine maestro could not get on the scoresheet against.

But while Messi might have struggled to beat Petr Cech in the Chelsea net, Cole’s insistence that he was tougher than Ronaldo might come as a shock.

Especially to Ronaldo, who has always counted Cole as his toughest opponent.

Speaking to Coach Mag in 2016, he said: “Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole. He does not give you a second to breathe.

“He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game.”

But the feeling is not mutual while one of Cole’s performances against Ronaldo has gone down as one of the great defensive displays in the Premier League era.

In 2006, Cole had just signed for Chelsea from Arsenal at a time when Ronaldo was making mincemeat of defenders on a regular basis at Old Trafford.

When the Blues made the trip up north to face United early into the season, Cole did a magnificent job keeping Ronaldo quiet.

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So much so, that Sir Alex Ferguson ended up taking the tricky winger off with the scores level.

Speaking to Chelsea TV in 2020, Cole said: “I was so focused on that game. Even in the changing room I just felt different going into this game.

“My focus and concentration – mentally I was on it. I came to show him the line a lot because I kind of fancied my chances up against him with my pace.

“And a little bit of mentality actually. I think I got in his head a few times. He always wanted that extra trick.”

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