Former Spanish football star, Roberto Jimenez has said he found it harder playing against Lionel Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jimebez, a former goalkeeper, said the Argentine was a nightmare to come by, adding that he never wanted the former Barcelona ace’s shirt but now regrets not getting it.
Jimenez spoke on the Los Fulanos podcast, saying, he failed to stop Messi from scoring during the seven times they met.
NEWSUNPLUG reports that the Spaniard faced the Argentinian seven times in his career, with the former PSG star scoring 13 goals against the goalkeeper.
Messi and Ronaldo have now left Europe and are edging closer to retirement.
Both superstars dominated the world of football for the last two decades.
While Ronaldo now plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, Messi is with Major League Soccer, MLS side Inter Miami after leaving PSG in 2023.
“I could never stop Messi. Whenever he got close, he scored. Cristiano plays differently and gives you more chances to stop him, so it is more fun,” Jimenez said.
“Messi has been an absolute nightmare for me. I have the shirts of all the great players I have faced and those of my friends, but I never wanted Lionel Messi’s. Now, I regret it…
“…I never asked him for his shirt because he always humiliated me.
“A few years ago, a beer brand gave a beer to each goalkeeper that Messi had scored a goal against. So, of course, I have the beers at home. I have 13. I think I’m one of the goalkeepers who has the most.”