If you’re going to challenge soccer fans, you better come prepared.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two players who spark more global discussion than LeBron and Jordan do in the United States.
Shannon Sharpe of Fox Sports recently discussed the greatest player rivalries in sports on Monday’s Undisputed show. He mentioned Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, as well as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, but failed to mention Ronaldo and Messi, prompting one fan to respond on Twitter.
“Uncle @ShannonSharpe, Ronaldo vs Messi is the greatest sporting rivalry we will ever see,” one fan tweeted. “For over 15 years, these two guys dominated soccer. Just them, only them! Bird and Magic were great, but Jordan quickly took over. Payton and Brady was only for 5 years. It’s Messi vs Ronaldo!”
Sharpe did not acknowledge the rivalry but rather questioned it.
“How often have Messi and Ronaldo actually faced each other? How many times did one prevent the other from winning a title?” Sharpe responded.
It was at this point that he faced a barrage of criticism from soccer fans for his comments.
Sharpe should perhaps stick to Football rather than Futbol because he seems to be out of his depth in the world of soccer.
