Ashley Cole Makes His Toughest Opponent Pick Between Messi, Ronaldo

Former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back, Ashley Cole has long been celebrated for his defensive prowess on the football field. Over the years, he faced some of the most formidable opponents in the sport, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two players often debated as the greatest of all time. In a recent revelation, Cole shared his insights on who he considered the toughest opponent between these two football legends.

Cole's encounters with Cristiano Ronaldo were nothing short of legendary. During Ronaldo's first spell at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, he established himself as one of the Premier League's most electrifying dribblers. His ability to leave defenders bewildered was unmatched, making him a nightmare for many.

However, Ashley Cole was one of the few defenders who could hold his own against the Portuguese superstar. Their battles on the pitch were intense, with Cole often tasked with the daunting challenge of containing Ronaldo's explosive pace and skill.

Reflecting on these encounters, Cole remarked, "Over the years, Cristiano Ronaldo and I had some mighty battles, and we have a mutual respect for each other. He came to the Premier League as a little bit of an unknown, but he soon understood what it took to be a top player. He was willing to learn and adapt."

Cole acknowledged Ronaldo's versatility, noting, "He had everything. He could dribble, he could sprint behind, he could leap and jump and head a ball, he could go inside, he could go outside."

Despite the challenges posed by Ronaldo, Cole managed to deliver some memorable defensive performances against him. One such instance was in 2006 when Cole, having just signed for Chelsea, faced Ronaldo's Manchester United.

In a masterclass of defensive focus and concentration, Cole successfully kept Ronaldo at bay, prompting Sir Alex Ferguson to substitute the winger with the scores level. Cole later reflected on this match, saying, "I was so focused on that game. Even in the changing room, I just felt different going into this game. My focus and concentration - mentally I was on it."

However, when asked to choose between Ronaldo and Messi as his toughest opponent, Cole's answer might surprise some. Despite the numerous battles with Ronaldo, Cole identified Lionel Messi as the more challenging adversary.

"It has to be Messi," Cole stated during a fan Q&A session on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football. "People talk about Ronaldo more because I played against him more. But I think to mark Messi, on his day… he was just too good for me."

Cole's encounters with Messi were fewer in number compared to those with Ronaldo, yet they were no less significant. The Argentine maestro, known for his extraordinary dribbling and vision, presented a unique set of challenges. Despite facing Messi five times, Cole managed to prevent him from scoring in any of those matches. Their duels were part of epic Champions League clashes between Chelsea and Barcelona, where Cole's defensive acumen shone through.

While Messi never found the back of the net against Cole, the English defender admitted that marking Messi was an entirely different experience. "But, again, he’s never scored [against me]," Cole noted, highlighting his success in keeping the Barcelona star at bay. Nevertheless, Cole acknowledged the difficulty of facing Messi, stating, "As a defender, that's all you can do. Attacking players have more of an advantage."

Interestingly, despite Cole's preference for facing Ronaldo over Messi, Ronaldo himself regarded Cole as his toughest opponent. In a 2016 interview with Coach Mag, Ronaldo praised Cole's tenacity, saying, "Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole. He does not give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle."

Cole's career, marked by numerous accolades, including seven FA Cups, three Premier League titles, and a Champions League victory, solidified his reputation as one of the best left-backs in English football history. His ability to rise to the occasion against the world's best attackers is a testament to his skill and determination.