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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Uruguayan played alongside Portuguese</li><li>Considers other to boast God-given talent</li><li>Still going strong himself at Boca Juniors</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Edinson Cavani leaves former Man Utd team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo off list of ‘geniuses’ that includes Lionel Messi, Neymar & Ronaldinho

<p>Veteran Uruguayan striker Cavani spent the 2021-22 campaign <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cavani-pressure-no7-shirt-man-utd-cantona-beckham-ronaldo/1umme0ym3j3tw1nvltandik8b0" target="_blank">working alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford</a>. He saw the Portuguese hit 24 goals that season, but a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ronaldo-on-purpose-man-utd-exit-strategy-stam-handled-better/blt9b32129c6b01c4a3" target="_blank">second spell in England did not work out as planned</a> for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-more-dreams-al-nassr-portugal-star-900th-career-goal-aged-39/bltb7aa635ded895fc4" target="_blank">still going strong at the age of 39 with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a>, but is not considered to sit on a list of God-given talents – with the evergreen frontman considered to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-natural-ronaldo-built-in-a-gym---tevez-says-barca-star-plays-another-sport/1ch8sb3vpjwst1mfm0hqjk2clv" target="_blank">a product of hard work and relentless personal drive</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Cavani, who is now on the books of Argentine giants Boca Juniors, has told <a href="https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/argentina/nota/_/id/14320567/edinson-cavani-entrevista-espn-futbol-90-intimo-origenes-familia-valores-personalidad " target="_blank"><em>ESPN</em></a> when asked if he considers himself to be a football genius: “No, honestly no. There are other geniuses: Messi, Neymar, Ronaldinho, [Diego] Maradona. I am a football player who has polished myself, improved and I have the hunger for goals and to always seek glory, and to win, and to want, and to go... One improves and things happen. Sacrifice pays off.”</p>

WHAT CAVANI SAID

<p>Cavani, who has also represented the likes of Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain in his distinguished career, added on the genius topic: “Geniuses often find it easier, even if they have a lot of work and professionalism behind them. Things come naturally to geniuses. Work pays off in all areas of life. I grew up watching my parents excel, in a humble family where nothing was lacking, but they made us realise that obtaining things cost a lot. That teaches you and you begin to see that my parents' sacrifice is being rewarded and you start giving it meaning and you start to develop. When you reach a certain point and make your decisions, you see that the most important recipe is work and dedication to what you do. And love for what you do. When you have a passion for something and you do it with love, you have to try to be the best. In a healthy way, for the sake of improvement, in any profession.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Cavani is still scoring goals at the age of 37, having returned to his native South America, and will hope to continue emulating the likes of Messi and Ronaldo by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/contract-extension-cristiano-ronaldo-40-al-nassr-superstar-prolong-62-goal-stint-saudi-arabia/blt9b5fe85776a669ee" target="_blank">extending his own professional playing career towards the age of 40</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Edinson Cavani leaves former Man Utd team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo off list of ‘geniuses’ that includes Lionel Messi, Neymar & Ronaldinho | Goal.com

Edinson Cavani has left former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo off a list of “geniuses” that includes Lionel Messi and Neymar.