NBA Legend Dirk Nowitzki Shades Cristiano Ronaldo While Praising Lionel Messi

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There was a time, maybe five or so years ago, when the “Ronaldo vs. Messi” debate was not only a live prospect but perhaps slightly tilted in favor of  Cristiano Ronaldo. Those days are long gone.

Since turning 33 years old in 2021, Lionel Messi, now 36, has added another two Ballon d’Or’s and a first World Cup title to his resume.

That gives him three more and one more than Ronaldo, respectively, with the latter of the two long being considered the one thing that his virtually peerless resume lacked (particularly in his native Argentina, where he was and forever will be compared to the late, great Diego Maradona).

One athletic legend who certainly agrees that Messi is better than Rondalo is Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki, who recently discussed the long-running debate on Paramount+’s Kickin’ It alongside hosts Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, and Mo Edu.

Nowitzki’s analysis, however, included a touch of personal shade at Ronaldo — who, unlike Dirk, is a European who hasn’t been to the United States since the year 2014 — as the reason boiled down to his ego.

“I’m a Messi guy… Ronaldo to me, the shirt off and the ‘hey hey look at me’ – it’s just not my style,” Nowitzki said.

Regardless of how you may feel about their ultimate legacies, both Messi and Ronaldo are in the twilight of their careers as the 36-year-old Argentinian is currently playing in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, while the 39-year-old Portuguese is over in Saudi Arabia playing for Al Nassr.

Both players remain active on the international stage, though, with Ronaldo set to play (and likely start) for Portugal at the Euros this summer. Similarly, Messi will be suiting up for Argentina in the Copa America in June.