“They both bring different things to the game, that’s why it’s so hard to compare them,” Rossi told DAZN. “The positioning is different, the style of play is different. The interpretation of the game is different.

“Ronaldo went from a winger to being the best number nine on the planet, scoring goals is all he cares about. Messi is a goalscorer but he facilitates and I appreciate that as a player who likes to come deep and get the ball. He’s a more cerebral player, Messi and therefore some people don’t understand that part of the game, right? Those who do appreciate it more.

“So that’s why I lean more towards watching Messi play. It’s all about preference, it’s all about preference. I was lucky enough to have had the privilege of playing against them during that era in Spain.”

Rossi was capped 30 times for Italy during his career but was actually born and raised in New Jersey before moving to Europe at the age of 13. In 2006, the then-USMNT manager Bruce Arena, tried to tempt Rossi into representing the country of his birth but the forward opted to continue with Italy, who he had represented at youth level.

Messi is currently plying his trade in MLS with Inter Miami, and will be back in action on Saturday in a crucial fixture against the New England Revolution. Ronaldo has also left Europe, with Al-Nassr tying him to a record-breaking contract after his exit from Manchester United in November 2002, and will be looking to add to his haul of 29 Saudi Pro League goals in 2023-24 when they take on Al-Khaleej on the same day.