Cristiano Ronaldo is good, but Lionel Messi is better: Pravin Tambe

Before becoming a cricketer I was a professional footballer. I played for my office teams, first Sandoz and then Tata Electric in inter-office tournaments. Apart from that I played as a right winger for Siddharth College.

I am a big football buff. My brother and I are mad about the beautiful game. During World Cups we would stay awake the entire night to watch the matches, only to be scolded later by our parents.

It was fun playing professional football. I got into cricket only after I injured my knee. Also, coming from a middle- class family I needed a job, and cricket got me just that.

Diego Maradona is my favourite player. I still can't forget the 'Hand of God' goal that saw Argentina beat England in 1986.

However, Brazil has always been my favourite because of the Ronaldos and the Ronaldinhos. This time Portugal have a good side as their players are in good form of late. But I have not made my mind on whom to support since I have been very busy with the IPL. I will sit down one day, see the teams and decide whom to support.

I will also back Steven Gerrard. I have been a big follower of the English Premier League, and a fan of Liverpool and Gerrard. I have played county cricket in Liverpool for 10 years so that could make me root for England too.

As far as the individuals go, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among my favourites. I love watching their skills. Messi and Ronaldo have equally good talent, but I like Messi's moves better than Ronaldo. I don't agree when people Messi doesn't play well for country. He doesn't get the kind of backing and the combination that he gets when he plays for Barcelona. There should be someone to feed the ball to him so that he could get an opportunity to score. My heart says that these two players will surely perform.

Pravin Tambe is a cricketer. He spoke to Taus Rizvi