The debate over who is better - Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi got even more intriguing after the two best players in the world put on remarkable displays in the first EL Clasico of the La Liga this year.
Both Messi and Ronaldo scored two goals apiece in an entertaining 2-2 draw, as Barcelona maintained their eight point lead over Real Madrid. However, despite the duo not having too much to separate between them, Real captain Iker Casillas, not surprisingly, said he would pick his teammate Ronaldo over Messi, given a choice.
"I'd choose Cristiano over Messi because he's a player who gives us so much every season and he's a player I spend time with every day," Casillas told Cadena Cope.
"I know him, know who he is, know how he trains, know what he wants and where he wants to get to."
Casillas also weighed in on the issue between Jose Mourinho and Sergio Ramos. The Real defender was benched for the Champions League game against Manchester City with reports suggesting a rift had developed between the manager and the player.
However, Ramos has found himself back in favor in the last few games, and Casillas insisted he did favor any particular person. "Whose side was I on? On Sergio's, supporting a teammate who was going through a hard time," he continued. "And the boss' because he's looking out for the team.
"It's not a question of siding with Sergio or the boss but supporting everyone equally."
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said he would never consider coaching for Real Madrid, out of respect for his current club. "I would never coach Real Madrid because I'm sentimental about the old things," the former Atletico player and current coach told Rock and Closs. "I must be mad but it lives in my heart what I feel for this club.
"I have a contract until the end of the season and if you know me then you know I go on feelings. At the moment I feel good and I hope we can continue game by game, achieving what I've always wanted for Atletico."
Simeone reserved special praise for Radamel Falcao, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. "Radamel excites you," Simeone added. "All that happens with him is not accidental.
"He looks for things, he wants things and he trains to be the best. I think he knows that this is an important time and I am convinced that right now he is at a club that is stronger than any other.
"I'm not thinking of when he will go. It's like anything else in that you have to enjoy it, live it, and whatever else happens will happen. Is there a replacement for him? He is different from the rest. He is a predator, aggressive, committed to working for the team, a very complete player.
"Knowing his potential he is somebody who will improve on his weaknesses because he knows what he is good at and what he is bad at. That is a great strength Falcao has."
