Miralem Pjanić names Lionel Messi as the greatest player he played with

Former Juventus and AS Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanić has publicly identified Lionel Messi as the greatest player he has encountered throughout his career, placing the Argentine ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pjanić compares Messi and Ronaldo

During his time in top-tier European football, Pjanić shared the pitch with both Messi and Ronaldo, offering a unique perspective on their respective styles.

“I have played with many phenomenal players, Messi and CR7 above all. Who do I choose between the two? I say Leo,” Pjanić stated. He described Messi’s class as “something that cannot be explained,” noting that [he] possessed a “gift from God” that made difficult maneuvers appear simple. Regarding Ronaldo, Pjanić highlighted a “mental strength” and an obsession with scoring that he believes should be taught in schools, though he admitted that Ronaldo’s singular focus sometimes made team dynamics, such as taking free kicks, a challenge.

Tactical development and coaching influences

Reflecting on his time in Serie A and La Liga, Pjanić spoke candidly about his relationships with his managers. He credited Massimiliano Allegri, his former coach, with fundamentally changing his approach to the game. “With Max, I have a special relationship; we still speak today. He is one of the best coaches I have ever had,” he said. Conversely, his experience at FC Barcelona under Ronald Koeman was described as difficult, with Pjanić noting that he felt misunderstood and unable to reach his full potential during that period.

The midfielder also addressed the “open wound” of the final in Cardiff. Despite his successful tenure in Turin, he admitted to lingering frustration over his missed opportunity against Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a moment he described as still haunting him.

Supporting the next generation at Juventus

Pjanić, who retired from professional football after a decorated career, continues to maintain close ties with Juventus. He confirmed his role in facilitating the arrival of young talent Kerim Alajbegović to the club. “The family asked me to accompany him to Turin, and I did,” Pjanić explained. He characterized the young player as possessing significant technical ability, noting that he is a player who can create opportunities whenever he has the ball.

Looking toward the future, Pjanić suggested that Juventus fans should monitor the development of Alajbegović’s younger brother. “Mark this name: the little brother of Alajbegović—he is still very young, but you will hear a lot about him in the coming years,” he added.

Early life and career path

The discussion in Trento also touched upon Pjanić’s roots and his personal journey from war-torn Bosnia to the international stage. He described his upbringing as instrumental in his development, noting that his father—also a midfielder—served as his primary influence. Despite receiving an approach from the French national team when he was 18, Pjanić maintained his commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, citing a deep-rooted emotional and cultural connection to his home country.

Pjanić credited his proficiency in dead-ball situations to his early years at Lyon, where he observed the techniques of Juninho Pernambucano. He noted that while he played with Messi and Ronaldo, he considered Juninho to be the superior free-kick taker, describing the Brazilian’s ability to score from midfield as “perfection.”

“I am grateful to have had such a career. I have won a lot, playing with the greatest champions,” Pjanić concluded.