Omar Berrada has revealed that his dad told him that Lionel Messi showed shades of one Manchester United legend amid the Argentine’s rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo shared an incredible on-pitch rivalry during their remarkable playing careers for both club and country.
The 38-year-old Argentine and Manchester United legend Ronaldo dominated the Ballon d’Or podium for 10 years before Luka Modric won the prized award in 2018.
Al Nassr skipper Ronaldo and Inter Miami captain Messi are widely expected to be playing at their final World Cup tournament for Portugal and Argentina respectively.
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Omar Berrada explains his father compared Barcelona icon Lionel Messi with Man Utd icon George Best
Lionel Messi will captain Argentina’s World Cup title defence this summer at his record-tying sixth tournament appearance — mirroring Cristiano Ronaldo’s feat.
The 38-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain superstar has hoovered up the prizes across his legendary career, including winning a record eight Ballons d’Or awards.
Omar Berrada was at Barcelona when Messi made a name for himself in the club’s first team after the Argentine rose through the ranks of the La Masia academy.
Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast, the Manchester United CEO revealed that his dad felt that he could see shades of Red Devils icon George Best in Messi.
“My dad’s favourite player was George Best, and I remember when Messi was coming up, he used to tell me that Messi reminded him a little bit of George Best,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“The way he played, and obviously Messi started off more on the wing with his trickery and dribbling.”
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Omar Berrada on his shared Man Utd history with his dad after his father’s George Best and Lionel Messi comparison
George Best is widely considered one of the best players of all time in the Red Devils’ history and the former Man Utd No 7 left behind a profound footballing legacy.
Outside of his dad’s conversation around Messi and Best, Berrada admitted that his father had a history with Man Utd after he attended Old Trafford in the past.
“So, we would talk about that [Best and Messi],” he continued.
“He [Berrada’s dad] came to Old Trafford as well once. So, he would always tell me about the stadium.”
Berrada left the City Football Group after his key work for Manchester City and succeeded Richard Arnold as Man Utd CEO in 2024 under the Ineos regime.
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