Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not include Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in his list of the best players of all time.
Messi and Ronaldo have solidified their places as two of the best players in history during the last 20 years.
Both of them have won a combined 13 Ballon d’Ors for their achievements in their illustrious careers.
However, when asked to choose the best player of all time, former United boss Solskjaer ignored both of them.
Diego Maradona, Messi’s fellow countryman and former national team manager, was the choice made by the Norwegian.
“Maradona is the greatest ever player,” Solskjaer insisted to National News. “And I was lucky enough to meet him. He didn’t really speak English.
“It was at Old Trafford when I was the Cardiff manager and watched United v Liverpool. We got battered.
“Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush were sat behind me. I put my cap down. I was with my assistant Demps [Mark Dempsey], and he said ‘There’s someone across the table who wants to speak to you’. I looked across and it was Maradona. He came across.”
Maradona helped Argentina win the 1986 World Cup and guided Napoli to two Serie A titles during his time with the Italian club.
Solskjaer played with Ronaldo during his time at Old Trafford and watched the Portuguese star inspire Man United to three consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League title.
Ronaldo played some of the best football of his career under Sir Alex Ferguson at United and managed to win the Ballon d’Or for his performances in 2008.
Solskjaer was sacked by United in November 2021 and he has been waiting for the right opportunity to resume his managerial career ever since.
