'So where are Ronaldo's 15 Ballon d'Ors?' - Fans fume at Patrice Evra over comments on Lionel Messi's 'work ethic' 

Patrice Evra (Source - Twitter)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the best players in the history of football, but there is always a debate among fans around the world as to who is the best among them. Given their elegance, performance, determination and achievements, it's hard to pick one of them, but Ronaldo always remains at the top of former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra's list. The former United captain has opened up about why the Portugal international was always picked as a better player than the Argentine icon.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's Five YouTube channel, the Frenchman praised Ronaldo's work ethic and said it was the main reason he loved his former team-mate even more.

Evra said: "I want to explain why I say Ronaldo every time. It's not because he's our brother, it's because I'm in love with work ethic. I feel like Messi, god just gave him a talent and said 'go to play with those skills.

"And Cristiano had to work for it. Even if he had the talent, he had to work for it. If Messi had the same work ethic as Ronaldo, Messi would probably have like 15 Ballon d'Ors today. But Ronaldo, I'm just in love with people working hard so that's why I pick Cristiano."

Ronaldo and Evra enjoyed more than three successful seasons as teammates at Manchester United. Both have won two Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League for the club.

Ronaldo is a different level: Evra

Both have won multiple Ballon d'Ors, Messi with seven and Ronaldo with five, and the pair hold staggering records in international football and league football. But the PSG star also led his national team to lift the 2022 World Cup, a feat that Ronaldo failed to achieve with Portugal.

"I know after the World Cup, they say the GOAT is Messi or whatever, but Ronaldo is a different level. They've both like, I don't want to compare them, like if someone picked Messi, I would agree with them.

Meanwhile, Evra's comments on Messi were not well received by the fans as the French football coach criticized the former Barcelona star's work ethic.

Here are some reactions:

Never understood this whole argument. Why does everyone act like Messi doesn’t work hard? He doesn’t have an 8 pack so he just automatically has no work ethic?

— CMcHugh (@CMcHugh__) March 9, 2023

Just because he doesn't post it all over social media, doesn't mean he isn't working. He's the best player in the history of the game and you have the balls to question his work ethic? Cmon man...be better. 🤦

— Christopher Milo (@chris_milo30) March 9, 2023

So Leo won 42 trophies, 77 individual awards, and registered 799 goals and 352 assists with minimal work ethic?

I wonder what he could’ve done if he worked hard…

— Sara 🦋 (@SaraFCBi) March 9, 2023

Messi works a lot… why does everyone think he doesn’t…

— Blaugrana (@forblaugrana) March 9, 2023

So the question is “where is ronaldo’s 15 balon d’ors??

— FERDIE🇺🇸 (@ferdie_lawrence) March 9, 2023

What Evra means… 🤡 pic.twitter.com/ft97QC9vC3

— Kwaku Messi🇦🇷❤️💙 (@fre_me_kuu_wai) March 9, 2023

If Ronaldo had Messi’s talent he would have 20 ballon dors and two World Cups

— Trey (@UTDTreyyyy) March 9, 2023

Sounds like my parents when they compare me with the neighbors kids

— Malak 🐦 (@Malak_AFC) March 10, 2023

No talent is recognized without hard work. Everyone has to work hard to be at the top level. Maybe Leo should post more gym pictures, post about his abs and body, post more pictures of training sessions. He doesn't posts doesn't mean he doesn't work hard.

— Conqueror B ♐ (@MeConqueror_B) March 9, 2023