Messi is expected to leave Paris Saint Germain (PSG) this summer as his contract is set to expire. Barcelona is where Messi launched his career and he played for them until before moving to PSG. Messi has won four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles at Barcelona.
Messi wanted to stay at his boyhood club – Barcelona – but the La Liga giants couldn’t afford to keep him due to over 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in debt.
Cristiano Ronaldo meanwhile joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in January on a massive deal until 2025.
TimesofIndia.com caught up with Hutchison, who has played for Liverpool, West Ham United, Everton, Sunderland and other clubs, and scored 55 goals, to talk about the Champions League, the Messi vs Ronaldo debate, Klopp and Guardiola tactics, And much more. .
Who do you see winning the UCL title this time and why
It’s obviously between Real Madrid and Man City. But I think it will be Man City because of the form they are in. They are in terrific shape. They are at the top of the league (EPL). They’re an incredible team to watch. Grealish, Haaland are amazing. I think all Man City players are at the top of their game. It would be 60-40 in favor of Man City.
A team or teams that looked good for the Champions League title, but disappointed you?
The favorites are always in competition. It was Man City and Real Madrid. These two are day one favorites. Liverpool were really disappointing. Liverpool is the team that disappointed me the most. So the two in-form teams and the two outstanding picks from day one, in my opinion, would have been Man City at Real Madrid.
05:02
Countdown to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with Ashley Westwood
Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup triumph. Your views on Messi and do you think that after winning the FIFA World Cup, Messi won the Messi vs Ronaldo greatness debate?
I don’t think anyone will ever win the debate. I think that’s an absurd argument in the first place. Why should we try to choose between two of the greatest players of all time when we should just enjoy them. I love watching Ronaldo. I love watching Messi. Over the period of 15 years or more they have been at the top of their game. They were both role models for millions and millions of young players. Young people try to imitate them and watch them both. They are both amazing.
How would you differentiate the skills and tactics of Juergen Klopp and Pep Guardiola?
Klopp has said it over the years, ‘this is heavy metal football’. And that’s how he wants his teams to play. So Liverpool are fast and furious. They play with emotion. Cities are more calculated. They rely on tactics, a little more. They can play a slower style of football that can dominate the ball and no one can get near them. But that’s why the clashes are amazing as we have seen Liverpool over the years beat Man City many times and vice versa. So once that fast and furious tactic comes up against Man City’s quality, it’s always an interesting dynamic that will win out.
02:30
“It will be a Manchester City vs Inter Milan final in the UEFA Champions League”
There are talks about Messi going to Saudi Arabia, but some believe he could possibly return to his boyhood club Barcelona and Ronaldo could be back at Real Madrid. How big will the football icons be?
That would be pretty amazing. I could see Messi returning to Barcelona. I think that makes a little more sense. I’m not sure but I would love for Ronaldo to return to Real Madrid. I think it’s a great story. I don’t know if the club wants to go in a different direction. But that would be fascinating. It would be amazing if both return to La Liga because they (both) are giants and heavyweights in world football – always have been and always will be great.
Watch live coverage of UEFA Champions League 2022-23 on the Sony Sports Network
