Ex-Barcelona star who played with both Messi and Ronaldo weighs in on debate – ‘What a phenomenon!’

Former Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, currently playing for CSKA Moscow, is one of very few privileged footballers who have shared the dressing room with two of the greatest superstars – Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.

Indeed, the Bosnian midfielder spent a season with Messi at Barça in 2020/21 prior to which he was teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.

Pjanic unwilling to choose between Messi and Ronaldo

Having gotten to see the two icons from close quarters, Pjanic was recently asked to pick the best between Messi and Ronaldo.

However, the former Barcelona man was unwilling to make a straightforward choice, stating that picking between two of the greatest players in the last 20 years was difficult.

“It’s difficult to answer, but of course, these are the best players we have seen in the last 20 years. There is no doubt about it. I had the opportunity to play with each of them and I loved the way they played,” said Pjanic.

“I was personally convinced of their professionalism. I had the pleasure of sharing the same locker room with them.”

The 34-year-old midfielder then gave an insight into what Ronaldo and Messi are like having spent considerable time playing with them.

About the Portuguese international, Pjanic said: “Cristiano is very hardworking. He looked after his body every day, every detail, so it does not surprise me at all that he is still in such good shape.

“Yes, he had some poor matches, but if the ball went wide after shooting, he would not stop playing. He has an amazing strength that you will not find in anyone else”.

On his impression of Messi, Pjanic suggested that the former Barcelona captain is pure inspiration.

The Bosnian said he imagines the Argentina captain waking up in the morning and saying ‘Today I will score three goals. Then he goes onto the pitch and scores three.’

Continuing his praise of Messi, Pjanic added: “What a phenomenon! When you look at him, you constantly say: Wow! And then you enjoy every training session with him.”