Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both lucky and unlucky to be playing in the same generation, said former Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho while commenting on the long-running debate on who’s the best.
Speaking on the latest instalment of ‘On the Touchline’ on beIN SPORTS, Mourinho praised both football stars and said had there been only one of them at a given time, he could have bagged 10 Golden Boots.
Lionel Messi smiles during a training session of Argentina at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Bronnitsy, Russia, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Both are 5 times Ballon d’ or winners.
“I think they are lucky and unlucky to be playing in the same generation. They are lucky because they can compete each other. They look at each other in a positive way and get extra motivation. If there was only one of them, he would have 10 Golden Boots,” Mourinho said.
The 56-year-old Portuguese coach said that Ronaldo and Messi have raised the performance bar very high.
(161214) — DOHA, Dec. 14, 2016 () — Afghan boy Murtaza Ahmadi (bottom 1st L) pose with players of Barcelona on the pitch before the start of a friendly football match against Al-Ahli Saudi in Doha, capital of Qatar, Dec. 13, 2016. Ahmadi attracted worldwide attention with photographs wearing a plastic bag in blue and white with Messi’s name on it. (/Nikku)
FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Lionel Messi smiles during a training session of Argentina at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Bronnitsy, Russia, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi stands on the pitch at the end of the group D match between Argentina and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Thursday, June 21, 2018. Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after draw 1-1 in the group D match between Argentina and Iceland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, June 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)
BARCELONA, May 7, 2018 () — FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during a Spanish league match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, on May 6, 2018. The match ended 2-2. (/Joan Gosa/)
MADRID, April 22, 2018 () — FC Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (2nd L) complains a foul to the referee after Lionel Messi (Bottom) falls down during the Spanish King’s Cup final match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, on April 21, 2018. FC Barcelona claimed the title by defeating Sevilla with 5-0. (/Guo Qiuda/)
FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts after scoring during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
“Now, I think they have put the bar really high. And you have the players coming behind, who I like to call the ‘little monsters’.
“The bar has to be high, so it has to be incredible motivation for Neymar, (Kylian) Mbappe and (Antoine) Griezmann.
“Unfortunately, Cristiano and Messi will not last forever,” Mourinho, who was sacked as Manchester United coach on December, added.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at the court in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to plead guilty to tax fraud. The Juventus forward arrived in a black van, walked up some stairs leading to the court house and stopped to sign an autograph. The charges stem from his days at Real Madrid. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
MILAN, Nov. 12, 2018 () — Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Juventus in Milan, Italy, Nov. 11, 2018. Juventus won 2-0. (/Alberto Lingria/)
Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo attends a press conference at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Juventus will play a Champions League soccer match against Manchester United on Tuesday. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
(180826) — TURIN, Aug. 26, 2018 () — Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Lazio in Turin, Italy, Aug. 25, 2018. Juventus won 2-0. (/Alberto Lingria)
Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo . (File Photo: )
(180720) — BEIJING, July 20, 2018 () — Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo greets the fans as he attends a promotional event in Beijing, China, on July 20, 2018. ()
FILE – In this Sept. 23, 2014 file photo Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo holds the ball as he celebrates his four goals during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, files)
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, right, leaves the field after the round of 16 match between Uruguay and Portugal at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Saturday, June 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)