Euro 2024: Cristiano Ronaldo or Figo? Portugal’s ex-Arsenal star Boa Morte reveals pick
- Cristiano Ronaldo is set for his 11th major international tournament after scoring twice on his 207th Portugal appearance last week
A former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo has given a fresh twist to the debate over whether the Portuguese superstar or arch-rival Lionel Messi rules as the best footballer of the 21st century.
The extraordinary Ronaldo is about to embark on his 11th major tournament at Euro 2024, where Portugal begin their campaign against Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Luis Boa Morte, who played alongside Ronaldo at the 2004 Olympics, said it would be hard for the 39-year-old to be “at the top of his game” in Germany this summer.
The ex-winger also put 2000 Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo “top of my list”, when assessing the talents he played alongside for Portugal, Arsenal and Fulham in a 17-year career.
“I played with so many good Portugal players – Rui Costa, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Ronaldo – but my favourite was Figo,” Boa Morte said. “They all have different qualities, but he could do things others couldn’t.”
Boa Morte replaced former Real Madrid forward Figo for his first experience of playing alongside Ronaldo, in a friendly against England back in 2004.
