Steven Gerrard said it would be a ‘dream’ to see Lionel Messi follow Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo has continued his goalscoring exploits in Saudi Arabia, with the Portuguese striker notching up 35 goals in 31 league games last season.
Messi, meanwhile, departed Europe for the MLS, reuniting with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami.
However, Gerrard, who manages Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, admitted he would love to see the two great players of this generation renew their rivalry in the Middle East.
‘It would be a dream for me to have Messi at Al-Ettifaq. He is an incredible player and would be a great asset for the club,’ the former Liverpool captain told MBC Masr 2.
‘I know it’s difficult for him to move to Saudi Arabia, but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming.’
Pressed on who was the better player, Gerrary sought to be diplomatic: ‘Both Cristiano and Messi are incredible players with incredible stories in football,’ he said.
‘Ronaldo is a great individual goalscorer, while Messi is a more complete team player. I can’t really choose between them, they are both legends.’
Messi is currently competing with Argentina in the Copa Amerca, with his side gearing up for their crunch semi-final against Canada.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, saw his summer of international football come to an end after a penalty shootout defeat against France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Speaking following his country’s exit, the 39-year-old wrote on Instagram: ‘We wanted more. We deserved more. For us. For each and every one of you. For Portugal.
‘We are grateful for all that you have given us and all that we have accomplished so far.
‘On and off the field, I’m sure this legacy will be honoured and continue to be built. Together.’
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