Rio Ferdinand: Messi is an artist but Ronaldo is a machine.

Messi or Ronaldo? It’s a debate which has caused many an argument between football fans across the globe and will continue to rage long after the two giants of the game have retired.

Far from picking one of the two, former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand decided to explain the differences he sees between Messi and Ronaldo.

Ferdinand described Lionel Messi as a genius and an artist and the former Leeds man also called ex-teammate Ronaldo a machine. Speaking to the England U16 squad, Ferdinand claimed that Ronaldo had to work to get to the supernatural level he’s at now.