‘Mo is no Ronaldo’
SERGIO RAMOS fired a shot across Mohamed Salah’s bow on the eve of the Champions League final, saying the Premier League Player of the Season could soon be out of fashion.
And the Real Madrid skipper, above, dismissed suggestions Liverpool’s recordbreaking striker was at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, insisting the La Liga superstars are “in another orbit”.
Ramos says 44-goal Salah has to prove he can continue this season’s remarkable scoring exploits for years to come before he is talked about in the same bracket as Real team-mate Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Messi.
“Comparing players with Ronaldo and Messi is something you can’t do,” said Ramos. “There are players who are in fashion – those who come and go – and others who stay around.
“Salah is a top player, that’s clear. He has shown that this year and he has a great chance to show that WE ARE being treated to two huge matches today, as Aston Villa and Fulham battle in the Championship Play-off Final before Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
To begin the day, Fulham are firm favourites to earn their place in the Premier League, 4-6 to win the match and 7-5 to do so in normal time.
Despite Madrid being slight favourites to beat over the next few years, as Ronaldo and Messi have done. But let’s hope [he starts] the day after tomorrow.”
Ronaldo is bidding to win his fifth Champions League title – he earned one with Manchester United and three in the last four seasons with Madrid. And Real boss Zinedine Zidane dismissed suggestions the Portugal ace had not fully recovered from a recent ankle injury.
“He is doing great,” said Zidane. “I said recently he was at 150 per cent but if he is doing 140 per cent that is great too. You have to know he lives for these matches. This is what makes him tick.”
Zidane – who is also chasing history by becoming the first coach to win three consecutive European Cups – insists the favourites’ tag means nothing to him.
“We don’t feel that way,” he added. “We are not the favourites. This is a 50-50 situation. We have to play a great match to win it.”
GOAL-FEST IN FOOTBALL FEAST?
Liverpool, we have been bowled over by fans desperate for the Reds to win. On top of backing Liverpool at 11-10, punters are betting on goals and with the attacking flair on display, who can blame them.
Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Salah, Firmino and Mane have all been well supported to score, and if both teams grab a goal (4-9) we may be left cowering behind our couches.
BY JOE CRILLY