In a 2012 press conference, as recorded by Marca, Rijkaard—then the head coach of Saudi Arabia and former Barcelona manager—was asked about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“It wouldn’t be fair for me to make a direct comparison because I worked with Leo Messi, whom I consider the best player I have ever seen,” Rijkaard said. “I can’t compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo because I never worked with him. That doesn’t mean I don’t have great respect for Cristiano as a footballer.”

When asked which of the two he would choose for his team, Rijkaard dismissed the hypothetical scenario. “That’s something for PlayStation. In real football, that kind of choice doesn’t exist, so I won’t answer,” he added. However, he also defended Ronaldo, urging respect for the Portuguese star. “Players experience ups and downs throughout their careers. But based on his performances on the pitch, Cristiano should be happy—he’s always the one leading the way at Real Madrid.”

Frank Rijkaard’s legendary playing career

One of the most elegant and versatile midfielders of his generation, Rijkaard began his professional career at Ajax in 1979, quickly establishing himself as a vital part of the team. Capable of excelling both as a central defender and a defensive midfielder, he helped Ajax secure multiple Eredivisie titles and won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987.

After brief spells with Sporting CP and Real Zaragoza, Rijkaard joined AC Milan in 1988, forming a legendary Dutch trio alongside Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. Under managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, Rijkaard played a pivotal role in Milan’s dominance, winning back-to-back European Cups (now UEFA Champions League) in 1989 and 1990. His intelligence, composure, and ability to control the tempo of a game made him one of the finest midfielders of his era, helping Milan secure multiple Serie A titles.

On the international stage, Rijkaard was just as impactful. Earning 73 caps for the Netherlands, he played a key role in their UEFA Euro 1988 victory, the nation’s only major international triumph. His defensive solidity and leadership were instrumental in that success.

Rijkaard’s coaching journey

Following his retirement in 1995, Rijkaard transitioned into coaching. He led the Netherlands national team to the semifinals of Euro 2000 before stepping down. After a short and unsuccessful stint with Sparta Rotterdam, he rebounded when FC Barcelona appointed him as head coach in 2003.

Rijkaard’s tenure at Barça marked the start of a golden era. He led the team to back-to-back La Liga titles (2004–05, 2005–06) and a historic UEFA Champions League triumph in 2006, ending the club’s 14-year drought in the competition. His influence was crucial in the development of a young Lionel Messi, while also rejuvenating stars like Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Deco. His emphasis on attacking, possession-based football laid the foundation for Barcelona’s future dominance under Pep Guardiola.

After leaving Barcelona in 2008, Rijkaard had less successful spells with Galatasaray (2009–2010) and the Saudi Arabian national team (2011–2013) before stepping away from coaching. Despite his mixed results post-Barcelona, his impact on modern football remains significant. As both a player and a coach, Rijkaard is remembered for his tactical intelligence, leadership, and contributions to some of the greatest teams in football history.

During Koeman’s watch, so far, Barcelona suffered various big game defeats against Juventus, Real Madrid, and an early exit from the Champions League. Despite a late season run the club did not win the league and only was able to win the Copa Del Rey this season. Ronald Koeman also had to cope with the “Messi Gate ” situation which in the view of public opinion, the club were the villains.

According to TV3, Joan Laporta and Ronald Koeman held a meeting where the Barcelona president asked for a 15-day window to find a replacement for the former Netherlands coach. If indeed Ronald Koeman has coached his last game at Barcelona, these three candidates could be the front runners to coach Barcelona if Koeman is fired.

Antonio Conte

The Italian manager and former Inter Milan coach is now on the market following winning the Serie A title and ending Inter Milan’s championship drought. Antonio Conte has a big team resume having coached Italy, Chelsea, and Juventus.

Xavi

While Xavi is currently coaching Al Sadd SC in Qatar, it has long been rumored that the former midfield general could fill any void if called upon. According to reports, Xavi is the top candidate among the Barcelona board. Barcelona would only need to secure his release from Al Sadd.

Frank Rijkaard

While out of the game since 2013, Frank Rijkaard was the starting point of the worldwide phenomenon that would be Barcelona, going back to 2003 – 2008. Winner of two leagues, 1 Champions League, and two Spanish Super Cups, Mundo Deportivo indicated that Rijkaard could step in since he is highly viewed by Messi and company. With Barcelona in financial troubles, Rijkaard could be a much cheaper and safe option.