Iker Casillas has explained why he believes Cristiano Ronaldo edges out Lionel Messi in the debate between the "two phenomenal players".
The Spanish goalkeeping legend has given his verdict on the perennial football argument of who is better out of Portuguese forward Ronaldo and Argentine maestro Messi.
Between them, the pair have 11 Ballons d'Or and trophy cabinets stacked full of Champions League winners' medals and other major European honours.
But Casillas believes Ronaldo - whom he played alongside at Real Madrid for six years - comes out on top in the debate and gave the reasoning for his decision.
“Cristiano always had huge desire to be the best, ever since he was a boy and I believe he has achieved that," the 39-year-old told ESPN .
“If I have to compare him to Messi, what Cristiano has done is more impressive because we all know the talent Messi has, but Cristiano was determined and worked hard to be the best.
“I feel we have been lucky to have been able to enjoy two phenomenal players.
“For people that don't know Cristiano, he can appear to be cocky and arrogant, but it's totally the opposite.”
Casillas won La Liga, two Copa del Rey titles and the Champions League while playing with Ronaldo, adding to his glittering career with Los Blancos.
He also captained Spain to two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, while he made the difficult decision to leave Real Madrid in 2015, 25 years after joining the club as a child.
Do you agree with Casillas' verdict on the Ronaldo versus Messi debate? Have your say here.
Casillas moved to Porto and won the Portuguese league title in 2018, but suffered a heart attack one year later and announced his retirement from playing this summer.
Reflecting on his career, he added: “I was very fortunate with how things turned out, sadly it's not the case for everyone.
“It has changed me, you must do the things you like doing and live your life.
"I have spoken to people that I had not spoken to for a long time. I now live day to day, focus on what I can do today and not worry about tomorrow or next week.”
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