Edinson Cavani snubs Man Utd team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo when naming four football ‘geniuses’

Lionel Messi has received a glowing review from Edinson Cavani, who has overlooked former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo when describing some of football’s finest brains

Edinson Cavani has hailed Lionel Messi as one of football’s four “geniuses” – but stopped short of putting Cristiano Ronaldo in the same category.

The Uruguayan is in the twilight years of his career and is one of the most decorated players in his homeland. He’s played at the likes of PSG and Manchester United – which has seen him cross paths with some of the modern-day greats.

In Paris, he shared the pitch with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe whilst in Manchester he rubbed shoulders with Ronaldo. He’s also opposed Messi in numerous matches and has put the Argentine in an elite category.

Messi’s rivalry with Ronaldo has led to a generation-long debate but Cavani believes the World Cup winner is on a different level. He has produced something of a surprise by also claiming Neymar as just one of four geniuses to play the game despite many believing he failed to fulfil his talent.

Cavani told ESPN in Argentina: “Do I consider myself a genius in football? No, honestly, the geniuses are: Messi, Maradona, Neymar and Ronaldinho. I am just a player who works hard and kept refining myself.”

Messi has drawn comparisons to Diego Maradona throughout his career and finally emulated him when he delivered Argentina’s third World Cup – their first since 1986 – when they were successful in Qatar recently.

Ronaldinho is another name on that list to have claimed World Cup glory. The Brazilian was part of a lethal frontline that helped the South Americans land the trophy back in 2002. Ronaldinho would then go on to enjoy his peak years at Barcelona, winning the Champions League.

Whilst at the Nou Camp the Brazilian also won the Ballon d’Or as his individual talents were lauded. The forward’s joyful style of play earned him a standing ovation at the Bernabeu as well as numerous deals off the pitch as companies cashed in on his brilliance.

Ronaldo’s self confidence has not wavered despite him approaching 40 and calling time on his stint in Europe to go and play in Saudi Arabia. The forward has continued to score with regularity and insists he sits top of the tree. Last year he told Goal: “I am the best player in the history of football.”

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