2 hours ago
22
Federico Chiesa said that Cristiano Ronaldo is the most famous person in his phone book, but said he no longer speaks to the Portugal superstar as he "doesn't want to disturb him."
Chiesa played alongside Ronaldo at Juventus during the 2020-21 season, and the pair won the Coppa Italia together at the end of that campaign.
Ronaldo left Juventus to return to Manchester United just after the start of the 2021-22 season, but he clearly left a lasting impression on Chiesa.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Chiesa was asked for the identity of the most famous person in his phonebook, and after naming Ronaldo, he said: "He's built like a statue, I have to say. Very good body, fantastic player, one of the greatest. It was a dream come true to play with him."
Asked if he still speaks to Ronaldo, Chiesa quickly responded: "No, no, no, no... I don't want to disturb him!"
In a comment that could well see Chiesa's number blocked in Ronaldo's phone, the Liverpool forward named Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time.
Recalling coming up against Messi while playing for Juventus in a Champions League game against Barcelona, Chiesa said: "It was my second Champions League game for Juventus, and we played against Barcelona at home. I played with Cristiano, it was just amazing playing with Cristiano as well. Two of the greats. I have to say in all honesty, Messi is the greatest player of all time."
Chiesa also went on to say Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is currently the best winger in the world, ranking him ahead of teammate Mohamed Salah.
"Mo [Salah], Lamine [Yamal], Raphinha [are the best wingers in the world]," Chiesa said. "I would say Lamine [is the best at the moment.
"The weird thing about Lamine is, for a player of his age, to be so precise and doing the right thing at the right moment – It's just unbelievable, he's a fantastic player.
"You can see technically, his dribbling, his skill, is world class, but his decision making is what stands out the most I guess. It's what makes him one of the best players in the world at the moment.
"Mo is a fantastic player. He's world class. He showed that for several years now in the Premier League."
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