Barely a year ago, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared his take on building the ultimate footballer, leaving fans buzzing with his picks. During an interview with GOAL in 2024, Romano was asked to construct his perfect footballer using six key attributes: right foot, left foot, physicality, speed, skills, and intelligence. Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s all-time greats, was not part of his selection.
Romano’s choices leaned towards legendary players across different eras. For the right foot, he chose Brazilian icon Pele, while the left foot belonged to Argentine legend Diego Maradona. Physicality was represented by Marco Materazzi, and speed went to the “very old style” brilliance of Garrincha. When it came to skills, Fabrizio Romano selected Lionel Messi, praising his unmatched ability to mesmerize defenders. Finally, for intelligence, he picked Andres Iniesta, a player celebrated for his vision and creativity.
Fabrizio Romano’s Perfect Footballer:
Right Foot: Pele
Left Foot: Diego Maradona
Physicality: Marco Materazzi
Speed: Garrincha
Skills: Lionel Messi
Intelligence: Andres Iniesta
Romano’s decision to pick Lionel Messi as the most skillful player reignited the timeless Messi vs. Ronaldo debate. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible achievements, Fabrizio’s selections highlight a preference for artistry and technical brilliance over physical dominance.
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Kaka’s Take on the Messi vs. Ronaldo Debate
Interestingly, Fabrizio Romano’s choices align with those of Brazil and AC Milan legend Ricardo Kaka, who also picked Lionel Messi as the most skillful player while building his ideal footballer. In a 2024 interview, Kaka smiled and said, “I don’t think I need to say something” after selecting Messi.
Kaka’s other picks included Kevin De Bruyne for intelligence, Kylian Mbappe for speed, Erling Haaland for strength, Marcelo for the left foot, and Neymar Jr for the right foot.
In a 2020 Q&A session, Kaka further emphasized his preference for Messi in the ‘GOAT’ debate. While acknowledging Ronaldo’s brilliance, he said, “I played with Cristiano, and he’s really amazing. But I’ll go with Messi. He’s a genius, a pure talent. The way he plays is incredible.”
Fabrizio Romano: The Journalist Who Stays Neutral
Although Fabrizio Romano is celebrated for his neutrality in transfer reporting, his choice to include Messi over Ronaldo while building his perfect footballer shows a subtle inclination toward technical finesse and creativity. The football community continues to discuss and debate his selections, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry.
For fans and followers of Fabrizio Romano, his opinions offer a refreshing perspective, proving he is not just a journalist but also an admirer of the beautiful game’s rich history.