Simeone clarifies choosing Ronaldo over Messi

After the World Cup match between Croatia and Argentina, an audio message between Atletico Madrid’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone and his assistant coach was leaked where he was heard saying that he preferred Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi. On Monday, he was keen to clarify his opinion to the media as Atletico Madrid prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in Singapore.

“If you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for an average team, who would you go for?” Simeone had been heard saying after Argentina’s 3-0 loss to Croatia.

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Simeone has sought to clarify his comments about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup last month, saying he would "without a doubt" choose his countryman over the ex-Real Madrid striker.

“I would choose Messi definitely, without any doubt,” when asked which of him or Cristiano Ronaldo he preferred.

“Yes, I said it, but the conversation was between friends talking about football. I wasn't talking about who is the best in the world, I just meant that for a normal club, with normal players, Ronaldo would probably fit in better, but with Messi, surrounded by great players, he's still the best in the world,” he clarified.

It was rumoured that Simeone was offered the Argentina job previously but did not show an interest in handling national team responsibilities. Messi was heavily criticised by his countrymen due to his leadership and performances at the World Cup as the Argentine found the net only once and provided two assists. Cristiano Ronaldo started the World Cup on fire, netting a hattrick in the first match against Spain and bagging four goals overall. Both Ronaldo and Messi’s World Cup ended on the same day at the round of 16 stage as Portugal and Argentina were knocked out by Uruguay and France respectively.